The Day of Pentecost: Whitsunday, June 4, 2006
BCP: Acts 2:1-11 or Isaiah 44:1-8; Psalm 104:25-37 or 25-32 or 33:12-15,18-22; 1 Cor. 12:4-13 or Acts 2:1-11; John 20:19-23 or 14:8-17.
RCL: Acts 2:1-21 or Ezek. 37:1-14; Psalm 104:25-35,37b; Rom. 8:22-27 or Acts 2:1-21; John 15:26-27;16:4b-15.
Though it would be both strange and overwhelming to have all of the lessons listed above read in one liturgy, the sheer number of readings included in the two lectionaries for this celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit indicates how manifold are the gifts bestowed upon the Church thereby.
The texts from the Old Testament alone speak of the Spirit of God as the source of belonging, of life itself, and of new life. The prophet Isaiah records the word of God, “I will pour out my Spirit upon your descendents.” What flows from this outpouring is a genuine sense of belonging to God, so that the recipients will say, “I am the Lord’s.”
In Psalm 104, the familiar phrase celebrating the gift of life is recorded: “You send forth your Spirit, and they are created.”
And the great story of the dry bones from Ezekiel’s prophecy speaks of the hope for new life: “I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live.”
Turning to the New Testament, we find the story of the Spirit’s descent upon the first Christian believers with “the rush of a mighty wind” and the “tongues as of fire” and the speaking “in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” All who gather are enabled to hear Christ preached “in his own native language.” By this, we are reminded that it is through the gift of the Spirit that the Church is empowered to fulfill the great commission and carry the gospel of Jesus Christ to all peoples.
St. Paul’s teaching from the Letter to the Romans concerns the Spirit’s indwelling and intercession on behalf of the faithful. His instruction to the Corinthians encourages us to recognize that the gifts of the Spirit are given for the well-being of all and are meant to foster the unity of the one body of Christ.
The gospel passages suggest still other fruits of the coming of God’s Spirit. Abiding presence, guidance and instruction, and assurance of forgiveness are all manifestations of the gift of the Spirit.
The Church gathers to celebrate life, belonging, and hope; power, prayer, and unity; presence, guidance and forgiveness. All of these and “infinitely more than we can ask or imagine” are ours to share. How manifold are the gifts God bestows upon us by the coming of the Holy Spirit!
Look It Up
Use one of the passages listed above that is not read in the Sunday liturgy of your parish, and let it guide your meditation for the weekdays that follow the celebration of Pentecost.
Think About It
Remember an occasion in which you were able to work through a period of misunderstanding with a sister or brother in Christ. How did the Holy Spirit enable one or the other of you to speak in the other’s tongue?
Next Sunday
Trinity Sunday, June 11, 2006
BCP: Exodus 3:1-6; Psalm 93 or Canticle 2 or Canticle 13; Rom. 8:12-17; John 3:1-16.
RCL: Isaiah 6:1-8; Psalm 29 or Canticle 2 or Canticle 13; Rom. 8:12-17; John 3:1-17.
