(Pentecost, celebrated on the fiftieth day after Easter, commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles in Jerusalem. The image of the tongues of fire that symbolizes the Holy Spirit inspired the United Methodist cross and flame emblem." Acts 2:1-11 (The Message)
When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force—no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them. There were many Jews staying in Jerusalem just then, devout pilgrims from all over the world. When they heard the sound, they came on the run. Then when they heard, one after another, their own mother tongues being spoken, they were thunderstruck. They couldn't for the life of them figure out what was going on, and kept saying, "Aren't these all Galileans? How come we're hearing them talk in our various mother tongues?
Parthians, Medes, and Elamites;
Visitors from Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia,
Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia,
Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene;
Immigrants from Rome, both Jews and proselytes;
Even Cretans and Arabs!
"They're speaking our languages, describing God's mighty works! Their heads were spinning; they couldn't make head or tail of any of it. They talked back and forth, confused: 'What's going on here?'"
Prayer for the Day of Pentecost:
O Spirit of the living God, Thou light and fire divine, descend upon Thy church once more, and make it truly Thine. Fill it with love and joy and power, with righteousness and peace; Till Christ shall dwell in human hearts, and sin and sorrow cease. Blow, wind of God! With wisdom blow until our minds are free from mists of errors, clouds of doubt, which blind our eyes to Thee. Burn, winged fire! Inspire our lips with flaming love and zeal, to preach to all Thy great good news, God’s glorious common weal. -- Henry H. Tweedy
My Five Most Important Books by Garrison Keillor - 1. "The Acts of the Apostles." The flames lit on their little heads and bravely and dangerously went they onward."
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