This is Luke's account of the coming of the Holy Spirit (Luke is also the author of Acts). Everyone had gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the "Feast of Weeks" which in Greek was called Pentecost because it came fifty days after Passover. Suddenly, the Holy Spirit appeared. We hear it described this way: "And suddenly, from heaven, there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability" (Acts 2:2-4 NRSV).

There were people there from many different countries, and each spoke in a language of their own, but each heard what was being said in their own language. Just as in the Epistle lesson above, we see that, in diversity, there can be unity when the Holy Spirit is involved. However, even in the midst of this amazing display of God's power, there were skeptics. There were those who said that the disciples were drunk. Peter had to remind these skeptics that this was foretold by the Prophet Joel. He goes on to quote Joel and ends with these words of the Prophet: "'...Then, everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved'" (Acts 2:21 NRSV).

I see the emphasis on the word everyone. Again, unity is being stressed, and we are reminded that salvation is offered to all. I am reminded of what Paul said in his letter to the Ephesians: "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all" (Eph. 4:4-6 NRSV).

Being Sent (John 20:19-23)

Our gospel lesson this week is from the Gospel of John. In John's account, Jesus gives the disciples the gift of the Holy Spirit before he ascends into heaven. The emphasis here is that they are being sent into the world to continue the work that Christ was doing among all people. We hear these words: "Jesus said to them again, 'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.' When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit'" (John 20:21-22 NRSV).

We receive the ability to do whatever is required of us to do the work of the church through the power of the Holy Spirit, but we need to use that ability for the purpose for which it was given. We must "go into the world" and share the "Good News." The key word here is "go." We cannot sit at home and do the work of God.