Sunday, May 23, 2021
THE DAY OF PENTECOST
In the Nicene Creed we confess, “And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of life.” This Third Person of the Trinity whom we celebrate today “proceeds from the Father and the Son.” With the Father and the Son He is both worshiped and glorified. This is God who has spoken by His prophets as today through Ezekiel He declares, “You shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O My people. And I will put My Spirit within you, and you shall live” (Ezekiel 37:13–14).
This He has done in the hearts of everyone who has heard His saving Word, from Adam and Eve to you. To emphasize the universality of God’s desire, today we recall that post-resurrection Day of Pentecost, when no barriers of language could hinder God’s work.
Jesus tells us that this Spirit He sends is from the Father. The Spirit comes to witness about Jesus and His work of salvation for all. That witness consists of both the truth about sin and about the Savior, Law and Gospel, to bring us to repentance and enliven our faith repeatedly, day by day as we live in His presence and the grace of God.
READINGS
Old Testament: Ezekiel 37:1–14
(The Valley of Dry Bones)
Psalm
Psalm 139″1-12
Epistle: Acts 2:1–21
(The coming of the Holy Spirit)
Gospel: John 15:26–27; 16:4b–15
(The work of the Holy Spirit)
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray.
O God, on this day You once taught the hearts of Your faithful people by sending them the light of Your Holy Spirit. Grant us in our day by the same Spirit to have a right understanding in all things and evermore to rejoice in His holy consolation; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.