Pentecost (Whit Sunday)

Gift of the Spirit

‘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.’ Acts 2.3-4

Diversity of gifts

The collection of languages was exactly what the disciples needed for the foreign mission fields. The question of language had probably been exciting their minds for the past ten days or so since Jesus’ ascension. But he had commissioned them for world evangelism, and they must have had faith that he would deliver the necessary equipment before they set out. And how dramatic was the delivery!

Have we not all, when struggling to learn a foreign language, prayed that a similar gift would be ours? Yet those tongues were given when needed most. Today there are others going to foreign parts who are still helped with the languages. Do we, in our particular parish, need other tongues? If we do, we shall be given them – in any one of God’s diverse ways. But he may decide that another gift of the Spirit is more important for us just now, and that is what he will give us. The Holy Spirit is so powerful, he never runs out of any particular gift.

Joy abounding

When Jesus was born, the event was relatively low-key, though the heavens rang with music over the shepherds’ fields. When he rose from the dead, it took him quite a time to convince his friends that it had happened. And when he ascended, it was almost in private.

But when the Holy Spirit came, there was much more drama. God intended to catch the attention of quite a crowd; with so many witnesses, even the Jerusalem ecclesiastical hierarchy couldn’t say it hadn’t happened. Joy abounded – after the initial shocks of wind and flame – and power flowed, power that could be seen, felt and heard; power to change the world. It’s still coursing through any situation or circumstance where Christians are making a difference. Satan is no match for this divine power, so the further the Spirit advances, the further the devil has to retreat. One day there will be no place for him to hide. The End will come, and Jesus in glorious power.

Power for all

It’s a mark of the generosity of God’s love that at Pentecost a tongue of flame came to rest on each person present. There was work for all to do, and every person needed to respond. In his new Church, God would have a place for everyone. It’s the same today: if anyone feels like joining the Church as a comforting diversion, he or she will soon be disillusioned. The Spirit’s power is generously given – but to be used, and used as fully as possible, in God’s service.

Pentecost was a practical commissioning for the worldwide mission that is not yet complete. And when it is, very likely God will have some further work lined up for us in glory!

Spirit-fire

Why should the Spirit be given in flame? Yes, certainly the ‘tongues’ of fire brought languages to the receivers; but surely the fire spoke also of warmth and light, the love of God warming the stony hearts of unbelievers, and the light of Christ bringing the gospel into dark, pagan, sin-infected areas of the world, to hearts darkened by alienation from God. The Church had been born – in a very dramatic way – and the gospel message would soon be on the move out of Jerusalem in all directions. Did God know on the day of Pentecost that nearly two thousand years later we would still have nations to evangelize? Yes, because God knows everything. And if we get disheartened when we look at the work still remaining to be done, let’s reflect that God also knows the day and exact time when the song has gone right round the world.

Family service input

Download the Lord’s Prayer in as many languages as possible from www.christusrex.org/wwwl/pater. Encourage the young people to learn these, for incorporation in intercessions, Bible groups, parish outreach, etc.

Suggested hymns

Come down, O love divine; O Holy Ghost, thy people bless; Spirit of God, unseen as the wind; Veni Creator Spiritus.