This past year I as I was singing at church, for the Feast of Pentecost, and the children were gathered around the alter as Communion was being prepared, and a thought came to me.

As you may know, Pentecost is when the Holy Spirit came to the Apostles, and the "tongues of flame" appeared over their heads. In artwork this is usually depicted as a small orangey-red flame hovering over their heads. I'm sure you've seen this type of illustration a zillion times...

Looking at the candles lit on the alter today, it suddenly occurred to me that a flame is not a little orangey-red blurb hovering there, it's a small piece of blinding light. (I know, I know, sometimes these things need to be pointed out to me!)

Well, I started to imagine being part of your typical Jerusalem market day crowd, and seeing a dozen men suddenly appear with what looked like flame over their heads. With a light shining on each of them that blinded one to look upon it.

And then it occurred to me that as bright as it must have been, as bright as the candles were that I was actually looking at, that this was the Light of the Spirit, and the rays of light must have streamed forth, like the sunbeams do sometimes, and I always call that "glories". Glories streaming from Heaven above, right in the middle of a mundane day... and just stopping everyone in their tracks as the light pierced their hearts, so they could hear the Word of the Lord being preached for all to hear.

And then it was time for us to sing, and we turned to face the congregation, and opened our mouths and sang the song "I Believe", and suddenly, it was like the music was coming from someplace beyond me, and I was just filled with it, and then it went out of me. Tears filled my eyes, and I could see people smiling and singing with us, as they received Communion, and I just bowed my head and whispered "thank You".

So - my prayer today is that we all become filled with that Light, everyday, with the glories that stream from Heaven above, and that we are filled with His wisdom, His grace, and His peace.

Have a wonder-filled day, everyone!

Lisa Alekna