On November 23, 1654, French philosopher and mathematician Blaise Pascal had an experience he recorded on a small piece of paper:

"From about half-past ten in the evening until about half-past twelve … FIRE … God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob, and not of the philosophers and savants. Certitude. Certitude. Feeling. Joy. Peace."

Pascal kept that piece of paper sewn in his coat for the rest of his life. He went on to become a leading apologist for Christianity in his short life.

In today's first reading, Jesus' disciples are gathered together, still hiding in fear from the religious and civil authorities. "Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim."

Pentecost marks the transformation of Jesus' disciples from frightened victims to bold apostles of Christ's message. They were empowered by a spirit that filled them like fire, and fired their hearts and minds with courage and miraculous gifts of communication.

In St. Paul's first letter to the Corinthians (one of today's two suggested second readings), we are told: "No one can say, 'Jesus is Lord,' except by the Holy Spirit." We have all been touched by God's spirit or we would not be here --- in our church communities. But have we been transformed like Pascal, and like the first disciples from observes of Christ's ministry to its representatives-from followers to leaders?

I don't know about you, but I don't think I have experienced the "fire" of the spirit in such visceral terms. However, I have found the call to follow Jesus, and at times to lead others, irresistible. I suspect that is what Pascal and the author of the Acts of the Apostles are trying to communicate --- that some supernatural force allowed them to overcome their fear, doubt and hesitation and moved them to act. It felt strong. It brought conviction, courage, and "certitude."

Perhaps the longing we feel to be our best selves, to serve others, and to live lives that are worthy of being called "Christian" is that fire. It is a desire that no one can manufacture on their own. It is the work of the Holy Spirit.

Pentecost reminds us that we are all called to be active ministers in Christ's church, not just passive participants. We have access to the same power that fired the first followers of Jesus. We may not be able to summon the Holy Spirit on demand, but we can put ourselves in a position where we are likely to experience it --- at Eucharist, in prayer, and in service. We are called to wait for the fire, and to be ready to act on it when it comes.

Meanwhile, we can hold on to our previous experiences of Christ's love and call on these memories for strength. We may not sew the words into our coats to remind ourselves of God's love for us, but we need to remember that there is more to the world than what we see. There is a love that is stronger than fire that can transform us from followers to leaders.

Bill Peatman writes from Napa.