May 16, 2014: All In

Reading:  Joel 2:28-29

Reflection:
And afterward,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your old men will dream dreams,
your young men will see visions.
Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days.

St. Peter quotes Joel in Acts 2 to dispel the suspicion that the disciples are drunk rather than in the power of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is empowering.  We will have the opportunity this summer to explore the power and the gifts of the Holy Spirit each Friday.

Being an intuitive type, I just love this passage.  Prophesies, dreams, and visions—imagining what can be.  Looking and exploring what is possible.  Thinking outside the box.  Allowing God to move us to the unexpected.  Certainly the Spirit of God enables such things.

In all my readings of this passage over the years, whether in Joel or Acts, I’ve never noticed the three little words--on all people.  God empowers and gifts people of all sorts.  Orthodox and Reformed Jews. Main line Christians and Christians with whom we are at times uncomfortable.  Is it possible that God’s Spirit also rests on Hindus, Moslems, and Buddhists?  Well, I might as well push it further—how about agnostics? 

The pouring out of the Spirit seems to be inclusive.  Perhaps the Spirit today is encouraging us to be open to God’s power and gifts coming from whomever God chooses.  --Jim Bricker, Chaplain to Camp Mount Luther’s Summer Staff