Mighty acts of god

PENTCOST SUNDAY
June 5, 2022

“You are witnesses of these things,” we just heard on the feast of the Ascension (Luke 24:48). Yes, the apostles were witnesses of the risen Lord and his ascension to glory, not to mention all his preaching and teaching and healing. But what good is it to witness something if you do not testify to it? And what good is it to testify to something if no one understands you? The very first thing that the Holy Spirit enables the disciples to do is to proclaim the “mighty acts of God” (Acts 2:11) in ways that everyone—no matter their background, no matter their language, no matter their native country or region—can understand. The first sign of the Holy    Spirit was a strong driving wind, which entered and filled the entire house. The wind cannot be seen, but it can be felt and we can see its effects, whether it’s the gentle breeze fluttering the leaves of the trees or the destructive swirling gust of a tornado. Similarly, we cannot see the Holy Spirit, but we can feel effects: a gentle nudge to reach out to someone in need when we’re reluctant to do so or an overpowering urge to turn our lives around. Today our Jewish sisters and brothers celebrate Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks, commemorating the day when God gave the Torah to Moses on Mount Sinai and the Jewish community became a nation dedicated to serving God. They recall how their ancestors, having been freed from enslavement in Egypt, entered into a covenant with God. They promised their obedience to the Law and God promised an enduring presence in their lives. God’s enduring presence in the lives of humanity is valued highly by people of all faiths. We too celebrate God’s enduring presence, in the person of the Holy Spirit, who guides us, comforts us, advocates for us, and gives us peace. Amen. (Casey, Most Reverend Robert G. Pastoral Patterns. World Library  Publication,