Show Notes
In this week of Pentecost, we reflect on our Great Commission from Jesus.
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Episode Transcript
Pentecost reminds us of the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, bringing sinners to repentance as they are made aware of their need of forgiveness by a Holy God. This is a work of divine grace. But we need it, like the first disciples, to be heard and understood and to consider how we might then position ourselves to be used as Peter was to speak boldly the truth of the gospel.
A reading from Matthew chapter 28 verses 11 through 20.
11 While they were going, behold, some of the guard went into the city and told the chief priests all that had taken place. 12 And when they had assembled with the elders and taken counsel, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers 13 and said, “Tell people, ‘His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ 14 And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” 15 So they took the money and did as they were directed. And this story has been spread among the Jews to this day.
16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
This passage, the Great Commission, is an all-inclusive mandate for Jesus’ It’s not a calling reserved for the super spiritual, the super capable, or the super confident. Jesus’ commission to go into all the world was given to His disciples, whom He told to then share what had been told with everyone else. So that includes you and me. As one speaker once put it, missions is not about crossing the sea, it’s about seeing the cross. Having said that, there is something that those of us who stay where we are can learn from those who go somewhere else to be part of God’s kingdom mission. Those who are called to foreign countries know that they need to learn the local language before they can begin to share the message of the gospel. It’s something we would do well to remember as we go about our everyday lives and work in our domestic communities. Because we may use the same words others have, but they could carry other meaning for them. It’s not for hearers to have to work out what we are saying. We want them to be able to hear us in words that make sense to them, just as the crowd did on the day of Pentecost. Now, that was made possible in Jerusalem 2000 years ago by a supernatural work of God. And we can and should pray that he will open ears miraculously today as he did then. But we also need to do the work of learning how to speak in such a way that others get us. And that means taking time to understand their worldview and values, not merely dismissing those we may not agree with is wrong. We need to be familiar enough with others’ cultural and ideological reference points to be able to acknowledge and address them. Before we can expect others to listen well, we first need to listen well ourselves, both to what people are really saying and to what God might be telling us through His Holy Spirit.
A reading from Acts, beginning in chapter 2 verse 1.
2 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and 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, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 12 And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”
14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:
17
“‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams;
18
even on my male servants and female servants
in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
19
And I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;
20
the sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.
21
And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
A Prayer of Pope Francis, on the occasion of Pentechost, spoken twice in a row:
Holy Spirit, make my heart open to the Word of God. Make my heart open to goodness. Make my heart open to the beauty of God every day. Holy Spirit, make my heart open to the Word of God. Make my heart open to goodness. Make my heart open to the beauty of God every day.
A reading from the 104th Psalm beginning in verse 25.
25
Here is the sea, great and wide,
which teems with creatures innumerable,
living things both small and great.
26
There go the ships,
and Leviathan, which you formed to play in it.
27
These all look to you,
to give them their food in due season.
28
When you give it to them, they gather it up;
when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
29
When you hide your face, they are dismayed;
when you take away their breath, they die
and return to their dust.
30
When you send forth your Spirit, they are created,
and you renew the face of the ground.
31
May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
may the Lord rejoice in his works,
32
who looks on the earth and it trembles,
who touches the mountains and they smoke!
33
I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
34
May my meditation be pleasing to him,
for I rejoice in the Lord.
35
Let sinners be consumed from the earth,
and let the wicked be no more!
Bless the Lord, O my soul!
Praise the Lord!
