Pentecost

A dove representing the Holy Spirit flying downward

After missing a few weeks of my Revised Common Lectionary poetry project, I am back with another poem for today, Pentecost Sunday, which is one of my favorite Sundays.

The readings for today are:

• Acts 2:1-21

• 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13

• John 20:19-23

• Psalm 104:25-35, 37

My other RCL project poems can be found here:

Stones

Dinner

What Age Begins

The Father sent Jesus;

so we are sent:

emptied to be filled

with power and holy humility,

learning to really listen

to strange new tongues

and metaphors,

slowing down enough

to see and hear,

falling back and dilly-dallying

in places where we can finally hear

the quiet cooing of a dove,

soft as flame.

We, too, can invite others to touch our scars.

2026 © Alissa Birkel. All rights reserved.