Acts 2:1-13
1 When the day of Pentecost had come, [the apostles] were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6 And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7 Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” 12 All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”
“… 5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. …”
Typically, when we think about the Day of Pentecost and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, we naturally assume that we are included in the distribution. However, according to Acts, it is only “devote Jews” who were in attendance. In other words, the Spirit is initially given only to the people of Israel. It is only later that we Gentiles (non-Jews) are included within the Spirit’s realm.
Recognizing that can be a difficult pill to swallow. After all, it was the Jewish authorities who arrested, tried, and had Jesus crucified. Yet, on that Day of Pentecost, it was to those very people who shouted “Crucify” that the Spirit was sent. It is they who are initial recipients of the One promised by our Lord.
Sometimes, it’s the very people we don’t expect who receive the Spirit. Those on the margins, the outsiders, the least, and the powerless are to whom God grants this lift-giving gift. Throughout history, very often God’s Word and the power of the Spirit is manifested in people to whom the world grants no regard. Yet, through them, the Spirit comes, the Spirit speaks, and the Spirit acts.
Being attentive to the presence and promise of the Spirit means listening with our ears, our hearts, and our minds. It means recognizing that sometimes the outpouring of the Spirit touches the very people we’d least expect. Keeping alert to the movement of the Spirit is what we as the Church are called to do.
Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit, and reveal Your life-giving grace. Open my ears, my heart, and my mind that I may see Your presence wherever it is revealed, especially in those I’d least expect. Amen.