Pentecost Moments and Kindergarten Hebrew

This morning the academic year began with a service of word and sacrament at Miller Chapel.  The ever present Holy Spirit became flesh in worship with the singing of "Spirit of the Living God".  Two soloists began the song; the first soloist in Spanish and the second in Korean.  Following their solos the congregation sang the refrain several time in unison in our native languages.  Just a few of the languages heard were Spanish, Korean, English, Taiwanese, Mandarin and French.

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.  Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.  Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

In other news, I attended my first Biblical Hebrew class this afternoon.  I came out alive and well, which was a relief.  I was certainly nervous, given that it has been ten years since I have studied a language, and the fact that I have heard learning Hebrew is difficult.

My homework this weekend is to begin learning the Hebrew alphabet.  When I went to the computer lab after class to download some assignments for the weekend, I happened to check my email and received the following advice from a former seminarian, and wise friend:

Embrace your ignorance, approach it like a kindergartener for whom everything is new and exciting, and don't be afraid to ask questions no matter how dumb they seem.

Finally, something I understand!  If there is one thing that I do already understand, it is the mind of a Kindergartener.  Just one more instance of grace; the timing of that message could not have been better.  While I study the (beautiful) characters of the Hebrew alphabet this weekend, I plan on embracing my ignorance, and enjoying the newness of this season of my life.