international harvester
"Paul invited the prominent men of the Jewish community to visit him." —Acts 28:17
Tomorrow is the great feast of Pentecost. The first Christian Pentecost was an international, multicultural event. People of many languages gathered to worship God. The Holy Spirit prompted the apostles to praise God publicly in other languages, and all the various groups of people understood them (Acts 2:6).
One main reason for the great power and conversions at Pentecost was that many diverse people were gathered together (Acts 2:5-6). The Holy Spirit used the first Pentecost to unite people who had been separated. Since God is the same today as at the first Pentecost (Heb 13:8), He wants to bring the same unity tomorrow.
Accordingly, God may want us to search out people not like ourselves with whom to spend our Pentecost, people of a different race, religion, or ethnic group. The Spirit didn't fill people individually and then bring them together after they were already converted. Rather, diverse people were gathered first, and then the Spirit miraculously brought unity (Acts 2:11).
Jesus will lead us toward Christian unity this Pentecost. Our business is to follow Him (Jn 21:22).
Prayer: Father, may I make every effort to build unity which has the Spirit as its origin and peace as its binding force (Eph 4:3).
Promise: "There are still many other things that Jesus did, yet if they were written about in detail, I doubt there would be room enough in the entire world to hold the books to record them." —Jn 21:25
Praise: After receiving Jesus in the Eucharist, Maria often feels compelled to remain in silent thanksgiving.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 3, 2008
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.