The Holy Spirit Falls Upon Cornelius and his Household

Text: Acts 10:34-48

Reflection and Question: Having been invited by Cornelius to speak, Peter lays out for all in that household the basic outline of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Before Peter finishes, the Holy Spirit falls upon those listening in the same way it fell upon the apostles on Pentecost. Questions of clean or unclean lie forgotten. Now Peter’s question is addressed to us, too: “Can anyone withhold the water of baptism from these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?

Prayer: Blessed Holy Spirit, You blow where You will, including upon people who are described in Scripture as unclean. Inspire us to be as gracious as Peter so that we may accept Your children when Your pour Yourself out upon them. Amen.

This meditation is based on the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).