Forward Movement is an official, non-profit agency of the Episcopal Church whose mission is to create compelling content for Christian living. Since 1935 we have published the quarterly devotional Forward Day by Day, as well as pamphlets, booklets, and books that encourage and nourish people in their lives of prayer and faith.
SUNDAY, May 23 The Day of Pentecost
Acts 2:1-11. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
In today's passage from Genesis, we read of the tower of Babel, a structure reaching to heaven built to acquire godlike powers. But the builders were confounded as people always are when they attempt equality with God. They could no longer understand each other's language, and the Lord scattered them over the face of the earth.
In contrast to the Babel chaos, on Pentecost the Holy Spirit swept into the room of believers and gave them the ability to speak and understand other languages. At Babel, people proved they could not build anything significant or lasting on their own terms, by their own power. On the Day of Pentecost, people were empowered by God to extend their community by preaching, healing, and baptizing in the name of Jesus, through the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
If Babel and its tower meant alienation, Pentecost and its power meant unity.
The gospel can be heard anywhere, in one's own language. The lonely hear an invitation. The sinful hear judgment. The guilty hear forgiveness. What will you hear today? (1982)
COME, HOLY SPIRIT, to create, renew, inspire; kindle in our hearts your fire.
Ps 104:25-35, 37b; Acts 2:1-21 or Genesis 11:1-9; Romans 8:14-17 or Acts 2:1-21; John 14:8-17, (25-27)
View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com.
A Meditation for Pentecost
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