Pentecost – Year A – RCL
Scripture: Acts 2:1-21 and 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13
This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday when we celebrate the birth of the Christian church. Believers from far and wide were gathered together in one place, after Jesus had gone back up to heaven, and they were praying and worshipping together. Suddenly there was the sound of a mighty wind that entered the building, and tongues of fire appeared over the heads of the believers. They began to speak in languages that they had not learned before. The message of God’s love was spoken out loud in many different languages. The Holy Spirit was helping the Gospel reach the many language groups of the world.
Not all of us can speak two or more languages. It’s a wonderful thing if you do; it’s a blessing to be able to talk to people from different countries and continents. But if you are filled with the Holy Spirit, even if you cannot suddenly speak in a different language, you can always speak the language of love.
The language of love, the Gospel of Jesus Christ, does not always rely upon spoken words. When you see someone in need, and you help them, you are speaking the language of God’s love. When you defend someone who is being bullied or harassed or beaten down with words or deeds, you are speaking the language of God’s love. When you show care and give healing to one of God’s creatures, even something as small as a sparrow, you are speaking the language of God.
On that Pentecost Day, the Holy Spirit did miraculously cause the believers to speak out in languages that they had not learned. They were able to tell people that did not understand them before about God’s love for the world. But even today, when we let the Holy Spirit fill us and guide us, we can speak God’s language of love in action that shows others the love of God, even if they cannot understand our words.
Prayer: Dear God, please fill us with the Holy Spirit and guide us in the ways of love. Help us to reach out to those who need to see love in action.
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