Acts 2:1–21
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.
Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, 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 Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”
But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: ‘In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day. Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
Reflection
A community of believers gathered together in one place. Then it took place! God came to earth once again! God made himself known in a different form than of flesh. God came in the might and the power and the wonder of Spirit. A rush of mighty wind and fire that inspired and uplifted and gifted and took possession of each and all. This Spirit was the promised gift that Jesus spoke of! This gift from God had come to earth!
God is here! Alleluia!
This was the week that Jews would gather from all over to remember and celebrate the giving of the law at Sinai. In one respect the voice of God in the Law was heard. The Jews gathered and listened. They heard God's voice coming through the tongues of people. They heard and some thought these people speaking to be drunk.
Peter spoke... they aren't drunk, they are filled by the Spirit, just as the prophet Joel had said. Yes, here it is, that wondrous passage... "Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." We need Jesus! We can't save ourselves, not through the Law or anything else. We need Jesus! This gift from God had come to earth, in flesh and now in spirit! We need God and God comes! God has come to us and to me and to you, so that all may be filled with the Spirit of God and profess, "We need Jesus!" and "God has come!"
Prayer
Lord, how I need you! I need you every moment of every day. I ask that your Spirit set me on fire that I may live the love that you gave to all the world... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
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