"When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongue as the Spirit enabled them." (Acts 2:1-4)

The Festival of Pentecost was Sunday - the day we celebrate the promised Holy Spirit descending upon those first believers. And we celebrate the same Spirit blowing through the church today, enlivening our own faith. At Abiding Presence, Sunday was also the day when 6 youth publicly affirmed their baptisms with the Rite of Confirmation. Surrounded by family, mentors, and the whole congregation, these members of the congregation stood in defiance of the forces that seek to draw them away from God's good intentions for them and made a public commitment of their intentions to live out their baptismal covenant.

It may seem an ordinary thing to those of us who have witnessed this rite before. But it is far from ordinary - it is a Pentecost moment for middle school students to stand up and say out loud that their baptisms matter, that their adoption as God's beloved children will continue to define them. It can only be the power of the Holy Spirit that emboldens them to declare their intentions to "... live among God's faithful people; hear the word of God and share in the Lord's Supper; proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed; serve all people following the example of Jesus; and strive for justice and peace in all the earth."

In these days after Pentecost, I pray for the Spirit to descend upon my own heart and give me courage to stand up publicly and testify to my faith in Jesus Christ. I pray for the Spirit to embolden my witness so I will live, hear, proclaim, serve and strive with my sisters and brothers. I pray that in the face of forces that seek to draw me away from God's intentions I will stand firm in the faith gifted to me at my baptism. I hope you will join me in this prayer.

Let us pray: Father in heaven, for Jesus' sake, stir up in me the gift of your Holy Spirit. Confirm my faith, guide my life, empower me in serving, give me patience in suffering, and bring me to everlasting life. Amen

Italicized portions taken from Evangelical Lutheran Worship.

Contributed by Bishop Bartholomew
Monday May 25, 2015
Liturgical Year B: Week 26
Liturgical Color: Red
Sunday Gospel reading: Pentecost
Day of Pentecost