The Day of Pentecost (CL)

Acts 2:1-21

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. ² And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. ³ And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. ⁴ And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

⁵ Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. ⁶ And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. ⁷ And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? ⁸ And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? ⁹ Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, ¹⁰ Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, ¹¹ both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” ¹² And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” ¹³ But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”

¹⁴ But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. ¹⁵ For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. ¹⁶ But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:

¹⁷    “ ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,

       that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,

       and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

and your young men shall see visions,

and your old men shall dream dreams;

¹⁸    even on my male servants and female servants

in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.

¹⁹    And I will show wonders in the heavens above

and signs on the earth below,

blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;

²⁰    the sun shall be turned to darkness

and the moon to blood,

before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.

²¹    And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

NTA: Acts 2:1-12

When the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples, they spoke in tongues. Many people assume they are drunk or intoxicated. But if you heard a stranger or foreigner speak in your native tongue would you think that they are drunk. St Peter defends the witness of the Holy Spirit.

St Peter defends their experience through the Word of God. If you notice he does not do much explaining other than saying they are not drunk. He quotes Joel and his prophecy of this day when God will provide his Holy Spirit. St Peter puts the emphasis upon calling upon the name of the Lord.

"And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." All who call upon the name of Jesus Christ will receive forgiveness. The blood of Christ cleanses you from all unrighteousness. The blessed simple proclamation to call upon the name of the Lord. The Holy Spirit has provided us through Christ direct access to eternal life.

Sometimes it is the short and simple phrases that say the most.