This Sunday we celebrate Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit to the followers of Jesus. Pentecost (meaning "50" is 50 days from Passover). And Pentecost happens under very specific circumstances. People pilgrimaged to Jerusalem from all across the Roman Empire for the Festival of Weeks (commemorating the wheat harvest and the giving of the Law to Moses on Mt. Sinai). This gathering of diverse people spoke Greek because of the empire but their native language would have been from the region they were from. So when tongues settle on the disciples and they begin to speak the Word of God in the various languages, people are taken aback. And out of this, Peter preaches, many come to believe and the church as we know it today begun. And out of this we know that we also who have been baptized and become part of God''s beloved are also gifted the Holy Spirit to continue the work of God in the world. Attached to this week's notes is a map showing the various regions people travelled from in order to be part of this festival and the Pentecost experience.
