Pentecost Sunday – A – May 28, 2023
Why is there so much focus today on the disciples speaking “in different tongues” (Acts 2:4) and on the crowd hearing them each “in his own language” (Acts 2:6)? Why is this multilingual moment so important that it is often called the “birthday of the church”?
Perhaps the answer is reflected in the worldwide Synodal Process, coming toward its final stages. The Synod on Synodality has spent most of its two-year buildup inviting the entire People of God to speak “in different tongues” from different perspectives and for all of us to hear in our own languages.
What the Synod and Pentecost reveal is that no discernment, no movement forward and outward, no renewing of the face of the earth can happen until we are all able to speak freely in our native tongues. Click To TweetWhat the Synod and Pentecost reveal is that no discernment, no movement forward and outward, no renewing of the face of the earth can happen until we are all able to speak freely in our native tongues—that is, from our heart where the Spirit dwells—and be heard readily.
Fear will keep us from speaking and from listening. It will convince us that it is impossible for the Spirit to breathe new life into dead dust and blow open the doors we have kept locked for so long. Fear will dissuade us from believing our divided church can be one, so why even try? Jesus stands in the midst of our fear to breathe his Spirit of “Peace” once again that we may proclaim the mighty acts of God.
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