PENTECOST

Lectionary Text: Acts 2:1-13 -  When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. 5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6 And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7 Amazed and astonished, they asked, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, 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, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs--in our own languages we hear them speaking about God's deeds of power." 12 All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" 13 But others sneered and said, "They are filled with new wine."

When Pentecost arrived, they were together in one place,                          
and suddenly a roar that seemed to come from outer space
was filling all the house where they were gathered. Now the sound
was like that of a mighty wind, as on each one was found
what best could be described as something like a tongue of fire.
The Holy Spirit filled them, and with power did inspire
them all to speak in other tongues. Now in Jerusalem
were godly Jews from many lands, who heard the sound of them.
They gathered in bewilderment, because all of them heard
their own languages spoken, and they understood each word.
“Are not these Galileans who are speaking?” they inquired.
They didn’t understand that the disciples were inspired.
“How is it that we hear in our own languages this way?
For Jews of many lands are represented here today.”
Amazed and puzzled, they were wondering, “What does this mean?”
But some there had a negative reaction to the scene.
They sneered and said, “These people have been drinking too much wine.”
I wonder, of these two reactions which would have been mine?