Daily Scripture

When the day of Pentecost had come they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came the sound like the rush of a violent wind .... All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability...

And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in their own native language. (Acts 2.1-21)

Daily Reflection

The crowds thronging Jerusalem that day had come from far and wide to celebrate the great Jewish feast of Pentecost (Shavuot), Their native languages were very diverse, yet they all heard God’s praises being poured out in words they understood - though in general Galileans were regarded as incoherent speakers in any language, even their own!

So how was this possible?

Whatever those supposedly ‘ignorant’ disciples said, the message was clearly heard, and many came to believe. When God speaks to us, he does so in words and actions that we understand.

However inadequate we may consider our own words and witness to be, if we offer them to God he will somehow use them to communicate what he wants to people to hear.

Lord, open our ears to hear your voice, and our lips to witness to your love.

Revd Rosemary