(Pentecost) (Graduation Sunday)
The scripture says on the day of Pentecost, the disciples were all together in one place and suddenly they were able to speak in languages that everyone could understand... people who were living in Jerusalem now, but were from various regions near and far, could hear their native tongues being spoken by the disciples. How can these Galileans be speaking in a language we Jews understand? What is going on?
The scripture also says that they had something like tongues of fire resting over their heads, some sort of aura perhaps, that was amazing to see.
The key to understanding this passage which might seem far-fetched and incredulous to some is to get at its intent. It isn't about fire on top of someone's head or a bunch of crazy talk going on, it is a message of community and global unity.
The Pentecost scripture suggests that it is not impossible for us to understand those who are different from us. It suggests that it is not far-fetched to consider a foreigner as part of the family. It suggests that we should always keep the home fires burning not just for our families, but in a way that reaches all who need to feel the warmth of humanity.
It's a pretty good message to share on a day we celebrate high school graduates. No generation to date is as inclusive and embracing as this one. We applaud their ability to look past differences and join collectively to care for one another.
This scripture is about new beginnings. It is about bi-partisanship. It is about communal living. It is about collaboration. It is about global unity. It is about embracing. It is about being a human family.
Comments? Email me at peverhart@niwotumc.org or comment below.
No comments:
Post a Comment