[Salvation]

May 10, 2005

The Jewish Feast of Pentecost

There are five more days in the Easter Season – it ends the evening of Pentecost Sunday.

Pentecost was a traditional Jewish feast celebrating the wheat harvest – a joyful celebration like the “Thanksgiving Day” celebrated in many countries. Originally it wasn’t on a set date, but celebrated whenever the harvest was ready. But gradually it became customary to celebrate it 50 days after Passover. That’s what the Greek word “Pentecost” means: 50th day.

In time, an additional meaning was given to this feast. Jewish leaders calculated that when their ancestors left Egypt, they arrived at Mt. Sinai approximately seven weeks later. It was here that God gave Moses the Law, and the Covenant was sealed: “I will be your God, and you will be my people.”

So, 50 days after Passover (which celebrated their escape from Egypt) was an appropriate time to celebrate the Sinai covenant which made the Jewish people God’s “Chosen people.”

Luke’s description of the Spirit coming upon the disciples on the very day of this feast underlines the significance of this event. It is a dramatic new beginning for the people of the New Covenant.

[Salvation]

Tueday, Seventh Sunday of Easter

During those days Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers (there was a group of about one hundred and twenty persons in the one place). He said, “My brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand through the mouth of David, concerning Judas, who was the guide for those who arrested Jesus. He was numbered among us and was allotted a share in this ministry.”

Acts 1: 15-17

Luke says that there were about 120 people there. The Church started out small.

Peter says that the Holy Spirit, dramatically at work in this community, was also at work in the writing of the Old Testament. There is continuity to God’s plan.

Judas. We’re so familiar with the story of Judas that it’s hard to imagine the pain the early Christian community experienced because of his betrayal of Jesus. After all, he had been part of the inner circle, the Twelve, handpicked by Jesus. There is personal sadness in Peter’s words – “he was numbered among us and was allotted a share in this ministry of ours.”

The Church has never declared Judas condemned. God’s mercy is wider than our sinfulness…if we can only find it in ourselves to accept God’s merciful love.

We’re all called by the Lord, just as Peter. Andres, and Judas – were called. But we’re never a sure thing. We amaze even ourselves at how low we can sometimes sink, or think of sinking.

Thanks, Lord, for never giving up on me. May I never give up on myself.

Spend some quiet time with the Risen Lord.