"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid." (from John 14 ) PENTECOST!!! Wind! Tongues of Fire on people! Speaking and understanding foreign languages! Preaching to thousands of people! Pentecost Sunday, one of the most important celebrations for Christians, is the birthday of the church. It's no wonder Pentecost Sunday is marked with images of red as Sunday School children create red crafts; as people wear red; and red banners and streamers hang around the church. What a day that must have been! That was then, this is now. John's Gospel is very different from all this energy and action. Here Jesus talks about peace "not as the world gives". Jesus' peace is an inner peace keeping our hearts from being troubled and afraid. Being in touch with inner peace during our troubled, fearful times is essential. However, I believe Jesus means more t...