5 June 2022 Pentecost
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
From Acts 2:1-11, NRSV
After Jesus’ ascension, the apostles awaited the promised coming of the Holy Spirit. As they gathered with the rest of the disciples of Jesus to celebrate the Jewish Feast of Weeks, the Holy Spirit came to them in the most dramatic and unmistakeable way. Just as the coming of the Spirit marked the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, so the coming of the Spirit marked the beginning of the ministry of the Church. The coming of the Holy Spirit was first manifested in the ability to speak in other languages so that people from many and far-flung places who had gathered in Jerusalem, were able to understand what was being said. From the very beginning, the mission of the Church was to all peoples and the gift of the Holy Spirit made it possible for the apostles effectively to communicate the message of the Risen Christ.
- Why do you think the coming of the Holy Spirit is described in such a graphic way?
- What is your experience of feeling the presence of the Holy Spirit?
Perhaps you could find out how to wish a Happy Pentecost to someone who speaks another language.
