Pentecost

 LECTIO:                                                                Acts 2: 1-11

When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together.  And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were.  Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem.  At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language.  They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, "Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans? Then how does each of us hear them in his native language?  We Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travelers from Rome, both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.

STUDIUM:

The setting of this reading is the Jewish feast of Shavuot.  The Apostles are gathered together for Shavuot.  Many pilgrims were in Jerusalem for Shavuot, also.  The Apostles also found comfort in each other, for they were still afraid of what their future held.  On this particular day, the Holy Spirit descended upon them.  This is called a theophany, a manifestation of the divine.  

Although there were many different languages being spoken, when the Apostles began to preach, each person heard them in their own language.  This is known as speaking in tongues.  The Holy Spirit gave the Apostles many gifts, the most important of which was courage to proclaim the Good News.

MEDITATIO:

I grew up calling the Holy Spirit, the Holy Ghost.  Holy Spirit is really more accurate because spirit evokes breath, wind, and God's breath, like wind can be sent, placed and poured.  On Pentecost, those gathered felt the force of God.  This is described as tongues of fire.

ORATIO:

Lord, the Apostles' ministry is mine, also.  I want to preach Your Word.  Help me, Lord.

CONTEMPLATIO:

Holy Spirit, I love You.

RESOLUTIO:

I resolve to live according to the Spirit, and not to the world.