Day 54 - Sunday, April 23
The Holy Spirit Descends at Pentecost
Scripture: Acts 2:1-13 & 42-47
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.”  And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.” And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Poetry:
"Veni Creator Spiritus"
by Rabanus Maus
Creator Spirit, by whose aid
The world’s foundations first were laid,
Come visit every pious mind,
Come pour Thy joys on humankind;
From sin and sorrow set us free
And make Thy temples worthy Thee.

O Source of uncreated light,
The Father’s promised Paraclete!
Thrice holy fount, thrice holy fire,
Our hearts with heavenly love inspire;
Come and Thy sacred unction bring
To sanctify us while we sing.

Plenteous of grace, descend from high,
Rich in Thy sevenfold energy!
Thou strength of His almighty hand,
Whose power does heaven and earth command.

Proceeding Spirit, our defense,
Who dost the gifts of tongues dispense,
And crown’st Thy gift with eloquence!
Refine and purge our earthly parts;
But, oh, inflame and fire our hearts!

Our frailties help, our vice control,
Submit the senses to the soul;
And when rebellious they are grown
Then lay thy hand and hold them down.

Chase from our minds the infernal foe,
And peace, the fruit of love bestow;
And lest our feet should step astray,
Protect and guide us on the way.

Make us eternal truths receive,
And practice all that we believe;
Give us Thyself that we may see
The Father and the Son by Thee.

Immortal honor, endless flame
Attend the Almighty Father’s name;
The Saviour Son be glorified,
Who for lost man’s redemption died;
And equal adoration be,
Eternal Paraclete, to Thee!

IN ONE ACCORD

In her music video, Audrey Assad sings “O Spirit of the living God, thou Light and Fire Divine descend upon Thy Church once more and make it truly Thine.”

The poet Rabbanus Maurus writes of the work of the spirit in creation, renewal, restoration, and recreation.

A beginning of this renewal and restoration is hinted at in the worship and praise of those gathered in “one accord” on this feast day. Different commentators stress that this outburst of praise resembles a multicultural polyphony, undoing the confusion of languages at the tower of Babel. It echoes in the hearts and ears of the different peoples gathered in Jerusalem for this feast. Diversity is no longer a source of division.

One commentator points out that many came to see what was going on, not so much because they were in immediate hearing of the event, but because their neighbors had carried the story of this astonishing occasion far and wide.

As the peoples from the different nations and communities listened, some noted that the speakers were “Galilean.” Perhaps they were seen as provincial and not well educated. The skeptics among the crowd concluded that the speakers were drunk. The apostle Peter explained that this was not so, wryly noting the time of day.

Different Bible scholars at different times have taken particular elements in this account and described them as keys to understanding how the Spirit affects the church.

Some emphasize the ecstatic nature of the initial event, and suggest that this primary attraction paved the way for Peter’s subsequent words of explanation and invitation. Others talk about the way in which the early followers regularly met together and discussed/explored “the apostle’s teaching.” Still others point to the way in which the community held a common purse. Their attitude towards private property was a mark of the transforming spirit.

These different insights and emphases can be helpful to us today as we attempt to draw people to our community’s expression of the Gospel. Luke points to the evident unity and solidarity of those gathered “in one accord” and I would suggest that these factors played one role in attracting the onlookers and listeners.

To be sure, the declaration and sounding forth of praises to God certainly created an audience for the lifting up of Jesus Christ and a clarifying reminder of His purposes and message. Peter made sure to point out that what was taking place was in line with what the Old Testament prophets had said.

This apostolic community built upon proclamation by regularly celebrating and exploring the Apostle’s teaching, and breaking bread. The Holy Spirit, while still supplying signs and wonders, nonetheless informed and empowered their discussion and thinking. The spirit was present in the life of the mind.

The spirit was also evident in this community’s learning and practice of generosity. They   pooled their resources in order to address the needs of those among them, and around them. We learn from  elsewhere in Acts that their commitment to addressing such needs sometimes called for clear thinking  and appropriate delegation, so again a spirit filled/led “life of the mind” was called for.

As we see from the video So We’ll Go!,  the Holy Spirit was also (and still is) a pilgrim, sojourning spirit. The early followers were reminded of the living presence of Jesus accompanying them as they travelled, and as they gathered to worship.  They were also reminded that they now had a voice, and a story to tell.

This spirit outpouring celebrated and deepened the church’s self-understanding while helping it shape and clarify its mission. As we stand before a globally connected post postmodern world perhaps we can step into the songwriter Audrey Assad’s words and make them our own.

PRAYER
Lord, help us to worship and celebrate you in a way that attracts others. Also, let our evident unity be part of the invitation. Let us bring believing and belonging together.
Lord, help us to learn from your word and teaching and apply it in appropriate, practical ways. Let our attention to your word  be part of what attracts people and invites further exploration.
Lord, help us to be truly discerning and truly generous when it comes to addressing the needs of those around us and among us. Again, let our actions be part of our message.
In Christ’s name,
Amen.

Steve Scott
Artist and Writer