Tuesday 17 May 2016

Psalm: Psalm 133

Background

In the account of Pentecost in Acts2:1-39, the Apostles and the women, among others, gathertogether. When the Holy Spirit falls upon them, they pour out intothe streets to proclaim the good news in every language. The wordsPeter speaks to the crowds are an interpretation of Joel 2.According to Peter's speech, the day foretold by Joel has arrivedwhen the Spirit will be poured out on all flesh; when the sons anddaughters are prophesying. There will be dreams and visions and theGentiles (non Jews) will also receive the outpoured Spirit. So, theproclamation of the Church begins as a fulfillment of Joel'spromise that God's people will receive a great and abundant gift ofGod's Spirit.

In the context of the second chapter of Joel, the wordshighlight God's generosity, as well as God's power to restore andempower all people. In the firstchapter and early verses of the second chapter, Joel describesa plague of locusts, calling to mind one of the ten plagues thatGod sent to punish Egypt. Joel calls on the people to repent andpray (Joel 2:12-13). They respond to Joel's prophesywith both repentance and faithfulness. The latter part of thesecond chapter (today's passage) describes in related terms therestoration of the people, the generous gift of the Spirit, and thecoming Day of the Lord.

Of particular interest in light of the theme for this week isthe connection between reception of the Spirit and responsiveaction. The Spirit comes as a gift to the people - one that flowsin abundance. They are empowered to interpret God's word to them,highlighted by the word "prophesy". Prophesy in this context maymean faithfully expressing God's words of warning or hope. Thesewords are grounded in the traditions, literature, and liturgies ofthe people. The promise of visions and dreams is directly relatedto the proclamation of God's word, recalling the people to theirrelationship with God and one another and filling them withhope.

To Ponder

• What does the word prophecy mean to you?

• In addition to worship, how do Christians proclaim their hopein Christ to the wider culture?

• If the Spirit is poured out on "all flesh", how might thatimpact our understanding of hospitality to strangers and those whoare vulnerable, such as migrants and refugees?