Pentecost Resurges
They knew things weren’t quite
according to Hoyle
for a while but necessarily
kept going each day
until finally breaking
turning whole self over
to God. Warm tears surging through
muscles and sinews.
After trying so hard
to hold it together
it felt good to release fears to
the only One who could
take them away.
Allowing the holy
to consume the heaviness
that had unknowingly settled
within brought lightness.
Now, only now, would
healing flow through
and Christ’s Spirit speak of
Love’s dreams and visions.
Pentecost had come
when most needed as they
were truly unsure of themselves and
all collected in one place.
Acts 2:1-8, 12-20
2 When Pentecost Day arrived, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound from heaven like the howling of a fierce wind filled the entire house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be individual flames of fire alighting on each one of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them to speak.
There were pious Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. When they heard this sound, a crowd gathered. They were mystified because everyone heard them speaking in their native languages. They were surprised and amazed, saying, “Look, aren’t all the people who are speaking Galileans, every one of them? 8 How then can each of us hear them speaking in our native language?
12 They were all surprised and bewildered. Some asked each other, “What does this mean?” Others jeered at them, saying, “They’re full of new wine!”
Peter stood with the other eleven apostles. He raised his voice and declared, “Judeans and everyone living in Jerusalem! Know this! Listen carefully to my words! These people aren’t drunk, as you suspect; after all, it’s only nine o’clock in the morning! Rather, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:
In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy.
Your young will see visions.
Your elders will dream dreams.
Even upon my servants, men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
I will cause wonders to occur in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and a cloud of smoke.
The sun will be changed into darkness,
and the moon will be changed into blood,
before the great and spectacular day of the Lord comes.
And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
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The day of Pentecost as reported in Act of the Apostles was powerful in so many ways. However, if the flames of fire, gusts of wind, and speaking in tongues stood alone, Pentecost would have little meaning. The power came through the actions of all types of people following this experience. They would be forever changed. Just as fire transforms water, wood or iron, the Holy Spirit worked within them.
Do you remember a time that you felt the intense presence of God among the people of this church? Perhaps you are blessed with the ability to recall even small details. Or maybe you still put your hand on your heart and feel the sensations of that moment.
Do you share this miracle with others? When we share, these experiences seem more real. God comes to life. People need to hear our story! It’s also an honor to listen to another’s story. Even divine encounters that happened decades ago still hold great power in this community’s life of faith.
In the spirit of Pentecost, you are invited to share part of our important faith history. Let your children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and neighbors in on the story, so they can hold it in their hearts for a day when they need to know they are not alone.
May your hearts be warmed and made strong this Pentecost Sunday! May the Spirit continue to strengthen us so that we resist evil, injustice, and oppression in specific ways.
Dear ones, we pray and care for you,
Marta
Rev. Marta Wheeler
To view or download a PDF version of this devotional, click here:Devotional MW 2023-05-24