In the last days it will be,” God declares, “that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.” vs. 17
Acts 2:14-21
Something big had happened on that Pentecost day in Jerusalem, and some of the disciples realized that our experience of God on earth is not static but constantly evolving. No longer would people need temples to worship and sing praises. Instead the Spirit of God would be poured out on all flesh–and all people, men and women, young and old, would participate in establishing peace and justice. No longer would the people of God be bound by old traditions and stifling legalisms–from now on the community would be led by visionaries and dreamers and the Jesus vision of God’s Kingdom would become a reality. Sadly, it was too much for the men who arose to leadership in that fledgling community of faith. They loved the authoritarian ways of the past, and it wasn’t long before the Church was every bit as rigid and inflexible as the temple hierarchy. Power was consolidated, rigid doctrines were adopted, and bishops lived like princes as the religious wing of the Roman empire. But the Spirit was not stifled! And after centuries of resistance there are signs of hope among those who call themselves by the name of Christ. The sons and daughters of the faithful are exploring new ways of carrying on the loving, caring, inclusive mission of Jesus–and Pentecost continues!
Thought for the Day: What new things am I seeing in the Church?
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