From the Pulpit: Omaha area faith leaders discuss the meaning of Pentecost – Omaha World-Herald

Monarch butterfly pollinates flowers in Omaha garden
That question often feels swallowed by a world drowning in divisiveness. Can one person can really make a difference?
Today, Christians celebrate Pentecost while the Bahá’í community observes Race Unity Day. Both sacred observations remind us that the Divine is present in each of us and that we are one human family. These religious observances are like spiritual lifeguards vigilantly reminding us that all it takes is one person to instigate hope.
Race Unity Day calls us to recognize our interconnectedness and to build a world where no one is marginalized. Pentecost is not just about a historical symbolic event, but about the universal potential within each person to awaken to the realization that the Spirit of God lives within. Metaphysically, Pentecost symbolizes the awakening of higher consciousness where the Spirit moves through ordinary people to be a vessel where love overpowers division.
“What can I do?”
The answer has been revealed for centuries through mystics, teachers, and even people we know. We are surrounded by courageous souls who quietly and selflessly devote their lives to bringing joy, healing, and hope into the world. This is not mere theory, for if you pause to reflect, someone will likely come to mind who has touched your life in a profound way.
This week, our community remembers one such person: Yano “Big” Jones. June 10th marks one year since Yano left this Earth, yet his spirit continues to live on.
As a coach and assistant high school principal, Yano possessed that beautiful gift to awaken the potential in others, especially in youth. He built trust among families and communities, crossing boundaries of race and politics. His investment in students and families, my own included, still unfolds every day in all the lives he touched. Some people shift the trajectory of your life just by being who they are, and when I reflect on Yano’s life, I am filled with the same gratitude that the classic film “It’s a Wonderful Life” invites us to feel: the realization that one life, lived with heart and love, really can make a difference.
What can you do?
You can change your perception to see a world full of loving people. You can choose courage over silence, affirmation over cynicism. The Spirit is still moving. As we remember the fire of Pentecost and the sacred oneness that Race Unity Day proclaims, may we not wait for saints or superheroes to arrive. Let us become them right here, right now. There are heroes in this world. They exist in the mirror.
— Rev. Dr. Cynthia Ramirez Lindenmeyer, Sacred Activism Community
On Pentecost Sunday we celebrate the power of the Holy Spirit being poured out upon the early church. This same power is available to us today.
How does one receive this Holy Spirit power? The same way we receive any gift of God, by grace, through faith. By grace meaning God offers gifts because of his goodness and by faith meaning we believe God provides this gift for our benefit and graciously receive from him.
In John 14:16, Jesus said, “And I will ask the Father and He will give you another comforter to be with you forever, the Spirit of truth.” The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth who guides believers into following the truth of God’s word. The Holy Spirit also enables us to accomplish things impossible with natural strength or wisdom.
When Peter received this gift he preached his first sermon and over 3,000 people responded by believing in Jesus as Lord. Other believers prayed for sick people and they were miraculously healed. Others experienced closeness to God that helped them worship the Father in spirit and in truth. Others found a power to live with the peace of God even though their lives were threatened because of their faith in Christ.
In Acts 2:4, the disciples were all filled with the Holy Spirit. In Acts 4:31, these same believers were once again filled with the Holy Spirit. It’s not a “one time” experience but a way of life.
Ephesians 5:18 tells us to continually be “being filled” with the Holy Spirit. Have you been “filled with” the Holy Spirit since you’ve believed? To be filled with the Holy Spirit is to receive power to live out the destiny God has for our lives. Ask God to fill you with his precious Holy Spirit.
— Rev. Joe Laughlin, Victory Church
From left, Emily Carrisalez and Yoselin Ramirez perform at a dedication ceremony for Plaza de la Raza at 24th and N Street in Omaha on Friday, May 2, 2025.
Archbishop George Lucas places his hand on Archbishop designate Michael G. McGovern during the installation mass of McGovern at St. Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.
JJ Vazquez and Yoselin Ramirez perform with Mariachi Los Galleros at a dedication ceremony for Plaza de la Raza at 24th and N Street in Omaha on Friday, May 2, 2025.
Troy Bader, CEO of Dairy Queen, shares a moment with Ellie Petersen, 6, of Omaha, during the 2025 Berkshire Hathaway Shareholder Shopping Day at the CHI Health Center in Omaha, on Friday, May 2, 2025.
Marilynn Martinez performs as part of Mariach Los Galleros at a dedication ceremony for Plaza de la Raza at 24th and N Street in Omaha on Friday, May 2, 2025.
Thomas Kluver kneels down to inspect a soybean field in Fairfield, Neb., on Thursday, May 8, 2025.
Archbishop designate Michael G. McGovern presents his letter of appointment by Pope Francis during his installation mass at St. Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.
Nebraska’s Riley Silva (1) scores a run past Creighton’s Connor Capece (2) during the fifth inning of a college baseball game at Hawks Field in Lincoln, on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.
Creighton head coach Ed Servais embraces former player David Gerber after the Bluejays 8-7 win over Nebraska at Hawks Field in Lincoln, on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.
Carly Portinen, wildlife rehabilitation director at Nebraska Wildlife Rehab, releases a big brown bat at the RiverFront in Omaha, on Monday, May 5, 2025.
Dominic Gillen wheels his son Will in for a town hall hosted by some state senators to discuss medical cannabis at Carpenters Union Hall in Papillion on Saturday, May 3, 2025. Will, 23, suffers from multiple types of seizures daily due to a severe form of epilepsy. Will’s parents, Shelley and Dominic, have been advocating for medical marijuana for 12 years, believing medical marijuana could help improve their son’s quality of life.
Shelley Gillen puts shoes on her son Will at their home in Bellevue on Saturday, May 3, 2025. Will, 23, suffers from multiple types of seizures daily due to a severe form of epilepsy. Will’s parents, Shelley and Dominic, believe medical marijuana could help improve their son’s quality of life.
Nebraska’s Harper Murray (27) spikes the ball past South Dakota State’s Madison Burr (8) and Rylee Martin (5) during a spring game match in Ord, Neb., on Saturday, May 3, 2025.
Nebraska head coach Dani Busboom Kelly reacts as a group of fans sing “Happy Birthday” after a spring game match in Ord, Neb., on Saturday, May 3, 2025.
Michael DeGroff and his daughter Malone, 6, walk across I Street to queue for the Nebraska spring game match against South Dakota State in Ord, Neb., on Saturday, May 3, 2025.
Evalina Sain, executive director of Omaha Students for Sustainability, stands for a portrait in Memorial Park in Omaha, on Thursday, May 1, 2025.
Greg Abel shakes hands with shareholders during the 2025 Berkshire Hathaway Shareholder Shopping Day at the CHI Health Center on May 2. Next year when the shareholders meeting occurs, Abel will be the Berkshire CEO, replacing Warren Buffett.
Works in the See’s Candies both stretch before the crowd is let in for the annual Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders Meeting at the CHI Health center in Omaha, on Saturday, May 3, 2025.
Omaha Marian’s Evalyn Runco jumps over a hurdle hurdle first during her heat of the 300 meter hurdles during the Metro Conference track meet at Omaha Burke in Omaha on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.
Omaha North’s Ben Harris jumps a hurdle during the 300 meter hurdles during the Metro Conference track meet at Omaha Burke in Omaha on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.
Bellevue West’s Braylon Chism has a slight lead over Omaha North’s Darion Jones in the 300 meter hurdles during the Metro Conference track meet at Omaha Burke in Omaha on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.
Papillion-La Vista South’s Breylee Botts finishing first in the 100 meter hurdles in the Metro Conference track meet at Omaha Burke in Omaha on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.
Papillion-La Vista South’s Breylee Botts finishes ahead of Bellevue West’s Janiyah Willis in the 100 meter hurdles during the Metro Conference track meet at Omaha Burke in Omaha on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.
Canada goslings exit the pond inside Hanscom Park in Omaha on Thursday, May 8, 2025.
A pair of Canada geese and their goslings swim at the pond inside Hanscom Park in Omaha on Thursday, May 8, 2025.
Contstruction workers at the nearby new Mutual of Omaha tower watch as an Omaha fireffighter climbs down a ladder while at a fire call near 14th and Farnam Streets in Omaha on Thursday, May 8, 2025.
Omaha fireffighters on a fire call near 14th and Farnam Streets in Omaha on Thursday, May 8, 2025.
Creighton head coach Ed Servais embraces his wife Anne after his final game at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, on Sunday, May 11, 2025.
Millard West’s Kennedy Moore (20) boxes out /m5/ from the ball as Millard West’s Addy Stephens (00) slides in for the save during the first half of a Nebraska Class A girls state soccer tournament quarterfinal match, at Morrison Stadium in Omaha on Monday, May 12, 2025.
Lincoln East’s Bella Bingham (25) and Scout Waite (24) embrace after falling to Bellevue West in a Nebraska Class A girls state soccer tournament quarterfinal match, at Morrison Stadium in Omaha on Monday, May 12, 2025.
New Omaha women’s basketball head coach Jamie Carey speaks during her introductory press conference in Omaha, on Monday, May 12, 2025.
Todd Cejka casts his ballot at Walt Disney Elementary School in Omaha on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.
Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert concedes the election to democratic challenger John Ewing during an election night watch party in Omaha on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.
Omaha Westside’s Sebastian Perez Rojas (20) attempts to score against Lincoln Southeast’s Dylan McDuffee (1) during the first half of a Nebraska Class A boys state soccer tournament quarterfinal match, at Morrison Stadium in Omaha on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.
Sofia Leach decorated her mortar board for Creighton University’s commencement ceremony at CHI Health Center Omaha in Omaha on Saturday, May 17, 2025.
Lincoln East’s Dele Odulate (5) slides home as Papillion-La Vista’s Ryan Thompson (7) can’t handle the throw during a Nebraska Class A quarterfinal boys state baseball tournament game, at Tal Anderson Field in Omaha on Friday, May 16, 2025.
Lexington’s Pedro Prado-Cruz (18) tries to steal the ball from Elkhorn Mount Michael’s Mesach Nkurubujango (6) during the second half of a Nebraska Class B boys state soccer tournament quarterfinal match, at Morrison Stadium in Omaha on Thursday, May 15, 2025.
Bennington’s Beau Pick (3) and Gretna East’s Kamden Korth (1) collide while going for the ball during the first half of a Nebraska Class B boys state soccer tournament quarterfinal match, at Morrison Stadium in Omaha on Thursday, May 15, 2025.
Bennington’s Austin Kaiser (11) leaps over Gretna East’s Dallas Andrews (8) during the first half of a Nebraska Class B boys state soccer tournament quarterfinal match, at Morrison Stadium in Omaha on Thursday, May 15, 2025.
Bennington’s Max Leight (9), left, and Beau Pick (3) celebrate Leight’s goal during the first half of a Nebraska Class B boys state soccer tournament quarterfinal match, at Morrison Stadium in Omaha on Thursday, May 15, 2025.
Schuyler’s Obed Benazo (7) is lifted up by teammates after their win over Bennington for the NSAA Class B boys soccer championship at Morrison Stadium in Omaha on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.
Schuyler’s Omar Genchi (19) hugs his sisters Laura Genchi, left, and Maria Genchi, right, after their win over Bennington for the NSAA Class B boys soccer championship at Morrison Stadium in Omaha on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.
Schuyler players celebrate with the trophy after their win over Bennington for the NSAA Class B boys soccer championship at Morrison Stadium in Omaha on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.
Crete’s Lesli Kratochvil competes in the Class B girls long jump at the Nebraska state track meet at Omaha Burke in Omaha on Wednesday, May 21, 2025.
Carol Windrum holds up a sign at a Stand in Solidarity event at Plaza de la Raza in Omaha on Thursday, May 22, 2025. The event was organized by Omaha Together One Community and allies to bring attention to support for positive immigration solutions in Nebraska.
Attendees listen to speakers at a Stand in Solidarity event at Plaza de la Raza in Omaha on Thursday, May 22, 2025. The event was organized by Omaha Together One Community and allies to bring attention to support for positive immigration solutions in Nebraska.
From left, Mary Kay Meagher and Marylyn Felion walk past a mural after a Stand in Solidarity event at Plaza de la Raza in Omaha on Thursday, May 22, 2025. The event was organized by Omaha Together One Community and allies to bring attention to support for positive immigration solutions in Nebraska.
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Monarch butterfly pollinates flowers in Omaha garden
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