Upon Each of Them

Upon Each of Them – Today is Pentecost Sunday, so, appropriately, the scripture reading is the story of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2, when, in a gathering of Jews from many nations on Pentecost, flames and a wind came, and the Holy Spirit filled them all, and they were heard by a variety of people in their own languages. Peter cited a prophecy from Joel to show that this was a predicted end-time for their salvation with the Spirit poured out by God on their souls. In Carol’s years of ministry at our church, she says there have been six different people who have come forward to say they’ve been called to ministry and are going to divinity school, but in fact we are all called to ministry, as indicated by what is always written on the list of staff on the back of our bulletin. The gathering in Acts 2 was of 120 people, well beyond the disciples, including women, and perhaps a number of those whose stories are recorded in the Gospels. While they are gathered, the Holy Spirit comes upon all of them – no one is left out. So they have different stories about their experience with Jesus and God. We all have different stories, and we, as individuals, are needed and are called to be in ministry. We may feel helpless and hopeless in our own lives, but this story reminds us of the strength and call of the Holy Spirit through our baptism. The Holy Spirit filled all of the people in the Acts story, and our life together in the church reflects this.