Scripture: Acts 2:2-6
Suddenly a sound from heaven like the howling of a fierce wind filled the entire house where they were sitting. The disciples saw what seemed to be individual flames of fire alighting on each one of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them to speak. There were pious Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. When they heard this sound, a crowd gathered. They were mystified because everyone heard them speaking in their native languages.
Thought for the Day: A colleague of mine, Rev. Erin Wathen, noted a study by the Pew Research folks who found that 72% of mainline protestants, 69% of Catholics, and 91% of evangelicals say that they believe in God. You may need to reread those statistics as I did, for they are telling us exactly what you think they might be telling us — 28% of mainline Protestants, 31% of Catholics and 9% of evangelicals say they do not believe in God. I know some of you are asking, “How exactly does that work?” I don’t want to pretend as if I have answer, as there are probably multiple answers, but in my limited experience, I find that a lot uncertainty about God or outright rejection has more to do with theology. It’s not just bad theology, but horrific theology that seems to encapsulate everything that Jesus stood against. Borrowing the words of many others, I don’t believe in that God either… I don’t believe in a God who promotes violence, greed, discrimination, environmental exploitation, etc.
As the Spirit moved upon the disciples on that Pentecost Day, it came with power – a new kind of power, the power reflected in the life of Jesus. It empowered those disciples with humility, grace, compassion, mercy and gentleness. For many people, that doesn’t sound like power, but there lies the problem. For far too long, we have allowed worldly values to attach themselves to our insecurities for the purpose of reinventing Jesus as one who encouraged and gave blessing to destructive power that is imposed upon people instead of the life-giving power found in self-sacrificing love. Maybe I’m naive, but I believe strongly that if those church-going atheists saw more of the Pentecost Power manifest in humility, grace, compassion, mercy and gentleness, they would glimpse a God that just might be worthy of belief.
Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit, and make yourself known to us. Teach us, not as the world would teach us, but as the life of Jesus continues to teach and inform who we are. Come, Holy Spirit, and allow us for us to be a reflection of your enteral and grace-filled presence. Amen.
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