Deiknuo’s blog – the reflections of David Lewis

This morning we made popcorn in church. Why? Because the making of popcorn is actually a very good analogy for the coming of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost.

I set the popcorn maker going as someone read a few verses from Acts 1 about Jesus promising the Holy Spirit to his followers and telling them to wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit had been given. And then, when we got to Acts 2, where we read of the coming of the Holy Spirit, the popcorn started bursting and shooting out of the popcorn maker – it was quite a spectacular display, filling not only the bowl I had placed there, but also shooting across the church. It couldn’t be contained. The hot air had transformed the kernels of corn. You couldn’t see it, but you knew it was there, and you saw the power it had to bring about transformation.

As the Holy Spirit comes and falls on those early followers of Jesus they, too, are transformed. The coming of the Holy Spirit is described as a strong wind blowing and tongues of fire touching them, and as well as being transformed they are released out into the world to engage in Christ’s mission to the world.

I am indebted to an internet friend of mine, Father Simon Rundell, for this analogy. It took me a while to locate a popcorn maker that I could use, but I’m so glad that I managed to find one, for it brought home to the congregation something of the working of the Holy Spirit, and also the challenge to be those who, filled with the Spirit, engage in mission in the world.

Thank you, Fr Simon, for your inspired idea!