For the early Christians, the Holy Spirit was a powerful and transforming presence. Both John and Luke tell the story differently. For John, the giving of the Spirit was a quiet and private affair, with no tongues of fire or preaching in the streets afterwards. In Acts, Luke describes a noisy, flashy, and overpowering gift of the Spirit. It was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. The division resulting from the Tower of Babel was now reversed and humanity was being reunited. In Paul's community, the Spirit granted various gifts — gifts that were misused by some — for the building up and good of the community. In their wonderful diversity, the Spirit was the source of unity. All worked towards a common goal, and all felt interconnected with each other. No part of the Body of Christ was unimportant. God's Spirit dwelt in believers and in their communities — they could truly say that God was with them. The Spirit is far more than a doctrine or belief — it is an experience. Unfortunately, few have experienced the Spirit in a meaningful way. When we open our hearts and minds, sending our prayers heavenward for the gift of the Spirit, it will be given. The lives of those touched by the Spirit are never the same. Let us pray for the Spirit to be poured out not only on ourselves, but on our Church and the world.