Reflection on the Word in our Worship
And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
-Acts 2:21 (ESV) [Peter quoting the prophet Joel]
The best way to understand Pentecost, however, is not through the Old Testament prediction, but through the New Testament fulfilment, not through Joel but through Jesus. As Peter summons the men of Israel to listen to him, his first words are Jesus of Nazareth, and he goes on to tell the story of Jesus in six stages. . . . (i) He was a man, though divinely attested by miracles; (ii) he was put to death by wicked hands, though according to God’s purpose; (iii) he was raised from the dead, as the prophets had foretold and the apostles had witnessed; (iv) he was exalted to God’s right hand, and from there poured out the Spirit; (v) he now gives forgiveness and the Spirit to all who repent, believe and are baptized; and (vi) he thus adds them to his new community.
-John Stott, The Message of Acts: To the Ends of the Earth
The Collect of the Week
Almighty God, on this day, through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, you revealed the way of eternal life to every race and nation: Pour out this gift anew, that by the preaching of the Gospel your salvation may reach to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Word:
(Click on the links below to read Sunday's passages)
Old Testament Lesson: Genesis 11:1-9
Psalm 68:1-20 (after the playlist below)
New Testament Lesson: Acts 2:1-21
Gospel Lesson: John 14:8-17
A downloadable Home Liturgy with Spiritual Communion follows the Psalm
(click below to listen to Incarnation's Playlist)
Psalm 104:24-35
24 O Lord, how manifold are your works; *
in wisdom you made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.
25 So is the great and wide sea also, *
in which are things creeping innumerable,
creatures both small and great.
26 There go the ships, and there is that Leviathan, *
whom you made to take its pleasure therein.
27 These all wait upon you, *
that you may give them food in due season.
28 When you give it to them, they gather it, *
and when you open your hand,
they are filled with good things.
29 When you hide your face, they are troubled; *
when you take away their breath, they die,
and are turned again to their dust.
30 When you let your breath go forth, they shall be made, *
and you shall renew the face of the earth.
31 The glorious majesty of the Lord shall endure for ever; *
the Lord shall rejoice in his works.
32 He looks at the earth and it trembles; *
if he even touches the hills, they shall smoke.
33 I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live; *
I will praise my God while I have my being,
34 And so shall my words please him; *
my joy shall be in the Lord.
35 As for sinners, they shall perish from the earth,
and the ungodly shall come to an end. *
Praise the Lord, O my soul. Praise the Lord.