Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for June 4, 2017
The Pentecost, oil painting by Louis Galloche (1670-1761). Musee des Beaux-Arts, Nantes, France.
Pentecost has arrived, and all our readings speak in some way of God’s Spirit moving in the world. In this reading we join the apostles as they gather to celebrate Shavuot, the Jewish spring harvest festival that falls seven weeks after Passover. The resurrected Christ had told them that they would soon be “baptized in the Holy Spirit,” receiving power to be his witnesses to the ends of the earth — and now the Spirit comes in a rush of wind and tongues of fire, inspiring the Apostles to declare the Good News in many languages.As the Prophet Joel foretold, Peter tells the crowd, the Spirit will be poured out for all.
First Reading (alternate): Numbers 11:24-30
At Christmas we remember the birth of Jesus. On Easter we recall Jesus’ resurrection three days after his death on the cross. Now it’s Pentecost, seven weeks after Easter, and we celebrate God’s gift of the Holy Spirit, who sends us out to take the Gospel to the world in Jesus’ name. This alternative first reading tells how God’s spirit empowered 70 of his elders. The spirit even came to two elders who weren’t present, an event that perturbed Joshua until Moses reassured him. Wherever God’s spirit moves through us, good things can happen.
This Psalm of praise exults in all the works of God’s creation, including the charming idea that God may have made some creations, like Leviathan, the giant whale, “for the sport of it,” just for fun. Note well that we thank God not only for making the earth, its seas, and creatures both small and great, but also nurturing them, ensuring that they are fed, and offering them protection. God’s Spirit is sent forth to continue creation and renew the earth, just as she breathed over the face of the waters on the day of creation.
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13
Paul’s beautiful first letter to the people of Corinth clearly spells out his theology of the Holy Spirit. Through the Spirit we all are all made one in baptism. Nationality, economic status, gender, s;ave or free, none of these things matter. Just as the body is made up of different parts that serve different functions, all of us bring our own special gifts as we work together, guided by the Spirit, for the good of all. We are all moved by the Spirit, each according to our own gifts, but all in one as members of the body of Christ.
Gospel: John 20:19-23
If this Gospel passage seems familiar, you’ve been paying attention: It comes twice in Eastertide, having been read on the first Sunday after Easter and now again on Pentecost. We return to the locked room where the disciples are hiding in fear on the first Easter. The grieving group was startled when Mary Magdalene ran back to tell them that she met a man in white at the empty tomb. She told them, “I have seen the Lord,” but they don’t know what to believe. And then Jesus is suddenly with them! He wishes them peace, shows them his wounds, and breathes on them, empowering them with the Holy Spirit.
Gospel (alternate): John 7:37-39
Pentecost is one of the feast days designated as especially appropriate for baptism. In fact, one of its traditional English names, “Whitsunday,” or “White Sunday,” refers to the white garments that those being baptized wore in ancient times. Whenever we welcome new members into the church, the celebrant reminds them that through Baptism we are sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked as Christ’s own forever. Through the living water of baptism our hearts join in pouring out the good news of the Gospel to all the world’s nations.