(Source from The Word Among Us)

. . . from every nation under heaven. (Acts 2:5)

Today’s first reading makes it pretty clear: the Holy Spirit wants everyone to hear the good news and come together through faith in Jesus. Men and women from all over the known world were in Jerusalem for the feast of Pentecost, and they didn’t all speak the same language. But when the Spirit came upon the believers gathered in the upper room, that massive crowd heard the disciples proclaiming God’s mighty works in their own languages, and that manifestation of God’s power helped them come to believe!

That miracle of God gathering people from all over the world wasn’t limited to the first Pentecost. Consider Philip preaching to the Ethiopian court official (Acts 8:26-40) or Peter preaching to the Roman centurion Cornelius (10:34-48) or Paul preaching to the philosophers of Athens (17:22-34). The Spirit came in power both upon those who preached and those who heard. He broke down barriers and brought people together through the gospel.

The Holy Spirit still wants to dismantle walls between people from all walks of life and bring them together. And by virtue of your baptism, you are called to participate in that mission.

How? You can start right where you live. You’re sure to encounter someone who might not “speak your language.” Maybe someone in your family or among your neighbors has a different worldview than you do. Maybe there are people who come from a different country or from a different generation. Bring Jesus to them. Just say a prayer, open your mouth, and trust the Spirit to work through you to bring them together.

The Holy Spirit is still eager to bring us all together in Christ. Let him fill you on this special day!

“Holy Spirit, give me the words to proclaim the good news wherever I go.”