How Marvelous are you O God

Pentecost – June 8, 2025

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

In our gospel from John, Phillip asks Jesus to show the disciples the Father and they would be satisfied. But I wonder, would that really have been true? How many times have you thought that you had found the perfect item or solution for something only to see something later that seems better? In our consumer-driven world we are constantly being shown possibilities that are advertised to satisfy you. Only to have some other item show up after you’ve purchased the first item, that claims to be bigger or better. That’s the way with advertisements, always telling you that you need the new item being shown. This is true in every category of life – even in the illegal drug trade. There someone will designate a new, more dangerous drug, and people will run to use it. If it is more dangerous then it must be better. Yes, if we are truthful to ourselves, we are never completely satisfied with our lives and what we have.

Jesus told the disciples that when he told them they already had what Phillip asked for: They already knew the Father because they knew him. In the same way our scripture for today is telling us the same thing. We have received the Holy Spirit through the waters of baptism. We have been fed at this holy table made whole by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. We also can say with the psalmist how manifold and marvelous God is for God has provided us (and all of creation) with what we need. Especially us who have been made the children of God. Yes God has satisfied us with so many good things that we cannot but answer Jesus’ call to pick up our cross and follow him.

You see, Pentecost was not a one-time event. It was the beginning of the disciples’ work to spread the good news about Jesus. That work continued throughout the history of the church and now continues with us. The beauty of the work is that you do not need to learn a different language, speak in tongues, or emulate any of the disciples. All you need to do is love others as God first loved you – everything else will fall into place. 

I know it is hard to love others especially in a world that tries to tell you that you need more than what you have to be satisfied. That is where prayer and Bible reading comes in. By reading the stories of those who have worked to answer God’s call reminds us that it is hard work which, sometimes, does not seem to satisfy. But when we pray we learn that we have been given so much more than we deserve and therefore can be satisfied with what God has given us. Yes, we have been satisfied by God and now are free and able to share what God has given us, our selves, our time, and our possessions. Be Pentecost people and proclaim the manifold works of God.