The descent of the Spirit at Pentecost was a noisy and flashy affair in Acts. Not only did it remove the fear of the disciples, it also empowered them to preach boldly and to work miracles. It started the work of refashioning humanity, a work that continues to this day. In Paul's letters, we see that it grants spiritual gifts to all, but in great diversity and variety. It binds the community together like the human body, each person doing their part and working for the common good of the group. No one person is better or more important than another. The giving of the Spirit in John was a quiet and low-key affair, but no less powerful. Jesus breathed God's creating Spirit into the disciples and sent them forth to continue His mission, which was to reveal to humanity the God whom no one had ever seen or known. This was not something that they could have done with their own abilities. The gift has been given, but do we use it? We need to seek the Spirit in the same way we would seek water in the desert. It is no less urgent; we need the Spirit of God, and so does our world.