Monday after the Feast of Whitsunday

Scripture: Acts 2:1-13 (NKJV)

2:1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” 12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”

13 Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.”

Devotion

The Old Testament Feast of Weeks, or Harvest, is celebrated in the 3rd Hebrew month of Sivan (May/June). It was also called Pentecost because it occurs seven weeks after the Feast of Unleavened Bread. At Pentecost the first fruits of the wheat harvest were brought to the Lord (Ex. 23:16). Rather than giving to God our leftover extras, we are instructed to practice first-fruits giving. We give God the first portion, trusting that He will provide for us with the remaining. Similarly, St. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 16:2, “On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper….”

Because Jesus Christ has risen from the dead we trust that we, His mystical body, will rise again on the Last Day. 1 Corinthians 15:20; 23: “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep… But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming.” On the Day of Pentecost the first-fruits gift of the Holy Spirit for declaring “the wonderful works of God” was poured out upon the Apostles of Christ’s Church. Through these Apostles, and the ordained ministers who follow in their train, God is continuing to pour out His Holy Spirit for the creating and strengthening of faith for salvation. We trust in Jesus’ promise, “Because I live, you also will live” (John 14:19).

Prayer: Almighty God, You have given us Your Holy Spirit so that we now believe in that which we will receive by sight on the Last Day. Forgive us our sins of not trusting in Your provisions for our life. Amen.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.