Say What?

“Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.”

Acts 2:3-4

Today we celebrate the great Solemnity of Pentecost! Perhaps the immediate image that comes to mind when one hears “Pentecost” is tongues of fire descending on the Apostles. Which is true, but there’s so much more than that. What happened at Pentecost was life-changing, earth-shattering, and life-giving. Pentecost is often called the “Birthday of the Church” because on that day the Holy Spirit came down upon the people and “those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand persons were added that day” (Acts 2:41). The Apostles no longer hid in fear behind those locked doors. They were filled with the Spirit and began to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ to all people even to the point of imprisonment and ultimately to the point of martyrdom. At one point we are told that they even rejoiced at the chance to be imprisoned and suffer for the name of Jesus. What about the Holy Spirit caused this to happen?

The people although from different places and spoke different languages all understood one another. Those who did not believe accused them of being drunk and probably questioned, “Say what?” They couldn’t understand them because their hearts were closed. The Holy Spirit descended and filled the hearts of those who were open with love. The language of the Holy Spirit is love, one that transcends all human barriers. Today is Pentecost and the Holy Spirit is knocking at the door of your heart. Will you say, “Say What?” or will you say, “Come, Holy Spirit!”