All Together

A litany for Pentecost

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.

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

Blazing 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.

In the city that day were devout Jews from every nation under heaven. And they were bewildered at this spectacle, since each was able to understand in their own language what was being said.

“What does this mean?” they exclaimed! But others among them sneered, saying “These people have had too much to drink!”

But Peter, speaking for the disciples, raised his voice and spoke to the crowd. People of Judea, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. We are not drunk as some of you think.

For goodness sakes, it’s only nine in the morning! No, what you are seeing was foretold by the prophet Joel.

In the last days, God declares, I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy.

Your young ones shall see visions, and your old ones shall dream dreams. Even upon the slaves—men and women alike—I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.

Continuing on, Peter declared: People of Jerusalem, listen to me. Jesus of Nazareth, who you knew, was a man attested by God with deeds of power and wonder, healing and hope. In these very streets he was handed over to the death squad. And yet the chains of death could not hold him!

The Holy One does not forget!

Oh, Mother of earth and Ruler of Heaven, Consort of Sarah and Hagar and Mary, You alone are worthy. You have made known to me the ways of life.

You will make me full of gladness with your presence.

Now when the crowd heard these words, they were cut to the heart and said to the disciples, “What should we do in response to this quickening?” And Peter said, “Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus, so that your sins may be forgiven. So that you are no longer bound by your failures.

The Spirit’s presence will then be your companion, to guide you through this age of corruption and deceit.

That very day thousands welcomed the message of God’s disarmament and were baptized into the fellowship of Power from on high. They devoted themselves to learning new habits of the heart, to the disciplines of tender hands, to feet shod with the Gospel of peace spoken with tongues of mercy.

Startled amazement was the order of the day!

The Resurrection Moment blossomed as the Resurrection Movement. All who trusted the Bountiful Promise lived according to the pattern of Jesus against the world’s logic of hoarding and threat.

As was needed, members shared gladly, without keeping account; others received without shame.

In season and out, the community gathered to eat and to relish each other’s presence in memory of the One who relishes all life, singing as they arrived, rejoicing as they left.

And their life together was a magnet for others whose hearts were inclined toward the Beloved Community.

 

©Ken Sehested @ prayerandpolitiks.org

Adapted from selections from Acts 2