When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together,and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. And they were amazed and astonished, saying, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?... Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified." Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

I guess that Jerusalem was not an unusually quiet place, filled with visitors from every corner of the Roman world. However, whatever the sound of a mighty rushing wind was, it was an attention getter. And then to hear these uncultured Galileans speaking in all the languages of the Roman Empire. I'm sitting here, in a quiet room in Vermont trying to imagine the impact upon those assembled.

And they, the disciples, were filled with the Holy Spirit.The fulfillment of Jesus' promise that He would send the Helper. Immediate results: 1) Peter, no longer the denier of Christ, but stepping out in his new role as a messenger of the Good News. 2) Those in the crowd who were quickened by the Holy Spirit received the message and were immediately baptized. 3) The Church grew from about 120 souls to over 3000 from morning to evening.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 56

Mid-day: 119:57-64

Evening: Psalm 132

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"Voices Together" is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at theFellowship Of Ailbe bookstore.  A weekly edition, formatted as a bi-fold insert and suitable for distribution can be downloaded at https://www.ailbe.org/resources/itemlist/category/52-general-downloads. The next edition is available by Thursday of the prior week.