Bible Study: Day of Pentecost (C) – June 8, 2025

RCL: Acts 2:1-21; Psalm 104:25-35, 37; Romans 8:14-17; John 14:8-17, (25-27)

Acts 2:1-21

In this description of the day of Pentecost from the book of Acts, we have the momentary undoing of the linguistic differentiation and ensuing confusion and tribalism that occurred at the Tower of Babel all the way back in Genesis 11. Pentecost is also considered the birthday of the Church because the Spirit anoints the apostles for their diverse ministries with the ability to speak the indigenous languages of the people they are called to serve.

Despite occasionally being mistaken for drunkenness (as it was on the day of Pentecost), speaking in tongues is one of several “spiritual gifts” or charisms named throughout the New Testament (predominantly in the Pauline epistles) that help servants of God to overcome the conditions of this world in order to bring us closer to the kingdom of God. Lists of other spiritual gifts can be found in Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 and 28-30, Ephesians 4:11, and 1 Peter 4:11.

• What gift(s) has the Spirit given you that empower you for ministry in the Church?
• What gift(s) do you recognize in those around you?

Psalm 104:25-35, 37

The lectionary omits a verse of this psalm that doesn’t seem to fit with the rest of the theme of praise. Verse 36 implores, “Let sinners be consumed out of the earth, and the wicked be no more.” It’s no wonder we don’t read it in church on Pentecost.

But there’s no getting around the fact that the psalms are full of violence. They represent the full range of human emotions. In this case, the imagery of sinners being “consumed” is particularly poignant because Psalm 104 also includes one of a handful of references to Leviathan, a monstrous primordial sea serpent, which, according to the psalmist, God “made for the sport of it.” Elsewhere in scripture, Leviathan appears as multi-headed, destined to be killed for food for those in the wilderness (Psalm 74:14), as a metaphor for Israel’s persecutors, destined to be punished by God (Isaiah 27:1), and as an example of God’s creative power (Job 41). This says a lot about how we make sense of our fears and the relationship of those fears to our Creator God. There are many monstrous things in the world and in ourselves that we’re afraid of, and we consider different reasons why God, who created everything and is all good, would allow them to exist or how God might help us address them. Is it just for the sport of it or for some higher purpose?

• What Leviathan heads do you recognize in your life and in the world around you?
• Why do you think God put them there? How do you think God will help you deal with them?

Romans 8:14-17

Generally, when we think about being “children of God,” there’s a positive association. We are all beloved children of God, made in God’s image, a good creation, etc. This short excerpt from the Letter to the Romans troubles that a bit with the language of suffering and slavery. After all, no parent, however hard they might try, can spare their child the inevitable pain of this world.

Paul was writing this epistle at the end of his ministry, with his persecution already underway, so he knew intimately that being adopted into God’s family didn’t lessen those inevitable pains; if anything, it exacerbated them. He wanted to acknowledge with his readers that, in this world, following the Spirit may feel like giving up one’s freedom, and following Christ might feel like it leads only to one’s suffering (just think of all the saints and apostles who were martyred!). But he also wanted to remind them that there is more to the story, more life than earthly life. All the things that make us cry out to God should also remind us that we belong to God, who loves us as a parent.

• Do you relate to God as a child to a parent? Why or why not?
• When was the last time you cried out to God? How do you feel God did or did not answer?

John 14:8-17, (25-27)

In this reading, Jesus names the Holy Spirit “the Advocate,” sometimes translated as “the Paraclete,” or “the Counselor,” or “the Comforter.”This calls to mind a different characterization, that of the Devil as the Satan, meaning “the Accuser” or “the Adversary,” throughout the Bible. Combine this with the tradition of God being the divine judge, and we have something of a metaphorical courtroom drama. Thankfully, we know God to be a merciful and gracious judge, and we have the “Spirit of truth” on our side!

Still, the accusing voice in our minds can get to us sometimes. This is probably why Jesus reminds his disciples not to let their hearts be troubled or afraid. As a Church born through the Spirit’s arrival on Pentecost, we have the Holy Spirit to remind us of what Jesus taught and said.

• Have you ever felt the Advocate and the Accuser in an argument within yourself?
• How does the Holy Spirit of truth show up in your faith as an Advocate, Counselor, and/or Comforter?

The Rev. Molly Cooke is a seminarian at Berkeley Divinity School at Yale.

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