Ordinary Time

Pause

“Breathe on me, Breath of God,
fill me with life anew,
that I may love the way you love,
and do what you would do.”

Edwin Hatch, “Breathe on me, Breath of God,” 1878

Listen

Peter stood with the other eleven apostles. He raised his voice and declared, “Judeans and everyone living in Jerusalem! Know this! Listen carefully to my words! These people aren’t drunk, as you suspect; after all, it’s only nine o’clock in the morning! Rather, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young will see visions. Your elders will dream dreams. Even upon my servants, men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will cause wonders to occur in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and a cloud of smoke. The sun will be changed into darkness, and the moon will be changed into blood, before the great and spectacular day of the Lord comes. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Acts 2:14-21

Think

Before Pentecost, the disciples were rather timid followers of Christ. They were anxious, scared, and bumbling about, especially once Jesus was gone. But then after this experience with the Holy Spirit, we read in Acts how they become fearless leaders, courageous in their spreading of Jesus’ message. It is Peter who helps the disciples to see the prophets they are becoming. Peter tells them it is the Holy Spirit at work in their lives. New dreams and visions emerge, and a new way of being begins.

That same Spirit to whom Peter gave witness moves among you today, giving you a new dream and a new way of being.

What new dream is God’s Spirit giving you today? Peter helped the disciples see how God was working in their lives. Who helps you to see how God works in your life?

Katie Cashwell

Pray

Holy God, I breathe in your dream, and I breathe out your dream to others. Be with me this day. Amen.

Go

“Spirit, spirit of gentleness,
Blow through the wilderness, calling and free.
Spirit, spirit of restlessness,
Stir me from placidness, Wind, wind on the sea.”

James K. Manley, "Spirit,” 1978