Birthday Signs

Scripture Reading for Sunday, June 5, 2022:

Acts 2: 1-21

Reflection: Birthdays often come with “signs,” don’t they?  For example, one sign may be a family member or friend asking you to save a date for something special being planned (a sure sign of a surprise party, right? Great.) Of course, other birthday signs may make us sigh – like some new ache in a place you’ve never felt one before. (A sure sign you’re getting older! Great.) 

This Sunday is Pentecost – a day traditionally celebrated as the “birthday of the church,” marking the moment the waited-for Holy Spirit came upon the apostles, giving them the sudden and miraculous ability to speak and be understood by people from every nation.  Many on the streets hear them and wonder: what this could mean?  But Peter speaks up immediately: "What you are seeing are signs of what has been foreseen! Signs of God’s visions and dreams for you and me – indeed, for the world.  And these signs are just the beginning - Just you wait and see!" And thus, the church is born and hits the streets with the Gospel message of repentance, forgiveness, love and peace. 

And here we are, church - another year older.  And we certainly have our fair share of aches and pains. And sometimes it’s hard to celebrate with all that divides and challenges and threatens us.  Still, this doesn’t mean that our old can’t still “see visions” and our young can’t still “dream dreams.”  Indeed, we can and DO still see signs of the Spirit’s work among us bearing fruit.  Want proof?  Just look around and see the signs of what the Holy Spirit has and is and will continue doing through the church - through you and me - and through all who proclaim Christ as Lord over all that is "seen and unseen." 

This week, ask yourself: What signs of the Holy Spirit do you see?  What visions do you have and what dreams might you dream for the church today and for tomorrow? How might we continue to be a church which speaks in ways that all may understand the Gospel message of repentance, forgiveness, love and peace?