The Day After Pentecost

When the day after Pentecost had come, they were gathered all together in one place at Manna House.  And suddenly from down the street there came a sound like the rush of a might big semi-truck flying down Jefferson Avenue, and it filled the entire front porch and house where they were sitting drinking coffee.  Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them.  All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

            Now there were devout folks from all over the place living in the neighborhood of Claybrook and Jefferson.  And at this sound, the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each.  Amazed and astonished they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Memphians?  And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native tongue?  Mississippians, Arkansans, East Tennesseans, and residents of Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Georgians, Alabamians, people from Bucksnort and Nashville, and Chattanooga, and visitors from the Catholic Heart Work Camp—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.”

            All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?”  But others sneered and said, “They are filled with beer.”

            But Moses, standing with those on the porch, raised his voice, and addressed them.  And it was a long speech and I don’t remember it all, but the gist of it was, “These folks are not drunk.  It’s only 8:30am.  No, the prophecies have been fulfilled and the Spirit has come.  Death has been overcome.  Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

            O, yes, it was quite a day at Manna House!  Awe came upon everyone.  All who believed were together and shared things, distributing goods to all, as any had need.  Twenty men showered and got a change of clothes.  Another fifty-one (plus a few extras) got “socks and hygiene.”  And everyone who showed up got coffee or water, as they wished.  All that morning they spent much time together, telling stories and jokes, sharing news and views, enjoying each other’s company.