“Almighty God, on this day you opened the way of eternal life to every race and nation by the promised gift of your Holy Spirit: Shed abroad this gift throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospel, that it may reach to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.”
-Collect for the Day of Pentecost
A good friend and I no longer speak. Despite multiple apologies from both parties, we seem unable to reach an enduring understanding. It’s sad, but, unfortunately, after much effort, I’ve resigned myself to our mutual incomprehension.
According to the Scriptures, misunderstanding between humans began in Eden and climaxed in Babel. Sin against God fractured the initial harmony, and ultimately resulted in the confusion of tongues between peoples. Ever since, we’ve all experienced our share of hostility and misunderstanding.
The Day of Pentecost is important, because it is the reversal of the curse of Babel. On this day, the confusion of tongues was undone. The “dividing wall of hostility” between people of “every race and nation” was torn down.1 The outpouring of the Holy Spirit opened our fastened lips.
The breaking down of barriers between peoples is an important component of the gospel. What Abraham had been called to do, the Spirit of Jesus accomplished. The “ministry of reconciliation” had begun.2 “The way of eternal life” was opened to all people. We pray that God would “Shed abroad this gift… that it may reach to the ends of the earth.” We’re asking that the same Spirit that was poured out at Jerusalem would bring peace to this fractured world.
I saw the “ministry of reconciliation” play out in Whit Stillman’s “Metropolitan.” In the film, Tom, an Upper West Side socialist, is trying to get involved with Audrey, an Upper East Side socialite. The problem? Tom finds himself unable to speak the lingua franca of the elite. Despite her affection for Tom, Audrey decides to date the pretentious villain, because he speaks a language she can understand. When all hope seems lost, Tom has a Pentecost-like experience, and the confusion of tongues comes undone. He jumps in a cab and as the credits scroll the viewer knows that Tom and Audrey’s lips will be opened to each other.
Maybe you’re reading this and there’s discord in one of your relationships. Perhaps there’s distance with a child, conflict with a colleague, or a grudge with an old friend. While God has overcome Sin and Death, he has not yet made “all things new.”3 There will come a day when hostilities will cease and misunderstandings will be no more. Until then, it’s very possible we're being called to wait and be patient. It's also conceivable we're making excuses to resign ourselves to discord. Having reflected on this collect, I’m going to call my good friend to see if reconciliation might be reached. If not, I’ll trust the God who “calls into existence the things that do not exist,” to heal our broken relationship and yours, too.4
Ephesians 2:14.
II Corinthians 5:18.
Revelation 21:5.
Romans 4:17.
Ben, So on point….Thanks
Beautiful 🙌. Thank you, Ben