On that first Pentecost, “there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, ‘Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.’ All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, ‘What does this mean?’ But others sneered and said, ‘They are filled with new wine.’” (Acts 2:5-13)
The people in Jerusalem were amazed to hear the news of Jesus in their own languages. What does this event have to do with us as women of the Diocese of the Rio Grande? I think there are still people hungry to hear the Good News-the Gospel. Some of them may be in our churches, our communities, even in our own families. In our varied ministries we should be proclaiming the Good News of God in Christ.
St. Francis is credited with saying, “Preach the Gospel at all times, if necessary use words.” It is true that our actions do speak louder than our words. Too often, I for one, get caught up in the busy-ness of the moment and forget that I am supposed to be a reflection of the Gospel. Then I have to be reminded of what Psalm 16:8 says: “I keep the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.”
If/when we do stay connected to God, then we are more able to be light, salt, leaven in the world. People around us need to hear the Good News 'in their own language'-be it a foreign language or the language of caring and love. Maybe it is the language of the world that will catch someone's attention or a bit of music or an invitation to an event or church service.
There is a lot of pain and fear in our society. We have the answer-Christ Jesus! What can we do individually and together to make Him known more and more to each person we meet? That is part of the conversation as women of the Diocese that I am looking forward to engaging in.
On this Pentecost, I encourage you to invite the Spirit into your hear anew. One of my favorite ‘Spirit’ songs is “Spirit of the Living God.” You can see it here. Next week we'll continue looking at some of the ministries women in the DRG are engaged in. I pray the Sprit of the Living God will indeed fall afresh on each of us in this Diocese so that we will be open to God's call.