Today is Pentecost Sunday. Today is the 50th day of the resurrection of our Lord. Today we remember the coming of the Holy Spirit.
When the Holy Spirit came, the Holy Spirit came dramatically. The apostles were in one room. They heard a powerful wind blowing. They saw tongues of fire resting on their heads. They were filled with the Holy Spirit. They were given the gift of speech.
Their gift of speech caused the devout Jews who were around them - to be "bewildered ... amazed ... astonished". How could the apostles, who were Galileans, speak in languages of the Jews who had "assembled from every nation under heaven". In fact, the apostles had spoken in 15 languages! (vv 9-11)
And then, through their gift of speech, they had preached to these devout Jews in their own language "about the marvels of God" (v 11).
Today, as we celebrate Pentecost Sunday, let us take note, that God generously desires to give each one of us this gift of the Holy Spirit. Let us remember in our moments of weakness and despair, that the power of the Holy Spirit is still with us, in our lives. The Holy Spirit has been given to us to empower us to live life as children of God. So, let us keep in step with the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:25) - so that we will be a people of God who lives with joy, peace, faith, hope, and love.
Holy Spirit, heal our wounds, renew our strength, and give us joy that never ends. Amen.