Pastor’s Pen | September 2024
5Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7Amazed and astonished, they asked, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11Cretans and Arabs — in our own languages we hear them speaking about God's deeds of power." 12All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?"
(Acts 2:5-12; NRSV)
Each year, on Pentecost Sunday, we hear the church’s birth story. It’s a joyful and festive day in which worship spaces are adorned in vibrant reds, and amazing images and sounds bring to life the frenetic energy of the Spirit’s activity in and through the church.
As the story goes, a variety of people, from far flung places of the world, are gathered in Jerusalem for the festival of Pentecost. They are gathered to celebrate, but because of language barriers, cannot understand what the apostles are sharing about Jesus. Until, of course, the Spirit rushes in like a violent wind, appears as tongues of fire on each person’s head and grants each the ability to hear “God’s deeds of power” in their native tongue.
Go back and read verse 8 again. Seriously, scroll back up to the excerpt and read verse 8 again.
The story does not say: “they began speaking the same language.”
The story does not say: “they were given a new language to understand each other.”
No, the story says: “we hear, each of us, in our own native language…”
I cannot help but notice how human difference and diversity is no barrier to the Spirit’s intention of creating community. In fact, those who speak different languages in this story are honored by the Spirit, because each person gets to hear about what God has done in Jesus in their own native tongue.
People of God, what does this story teach us about how to honor the differences we encounter in our neighbors today? As we notice the rise in political tensions and increased number of political yard signs in our neighborhoods, does the Spirit’s honoring of difference in our birth story bear any significance in how we relate and treat our neighbors? Especially as we approach election day, are we allowing difference and diversity to reinforce division and suspicion of our neighbors? Does difference or lack of understanding automatically mean division?
Not according to this story. Not according to our birth story. We, God’s church, were born of difference. We were born from diversity. The Spirit is not threatened by difference, the Spirit embraces it and creates vibrant, flourishing community through difference. Such is the vision for God’s church in the world.
I am finding this story, our birth story, theologically and spiritually grounding these days. As Christian people, tethered together by the Spirit, we are called to navigate political tension with faithfulness, honesty, and grace. Clinging to the good news of the gospel in which difference is honored and celebrated. Election cycles can be challenging. I encourage you to ground yourself in prayer, scripture, service, and community. Notice the Spirit’s invitation to honor difference and share in God’s intention of creating community through the distinctiveness of our human lives. Culture, language, beliefs, values, nationality, race, gender, sexuality—these are not cause for division but the basis for a vibrant, Spirit-filled, and joyful world.
Remembering you in fervent prayer,
Pastor Beth