Yesterday was the day of Pentecost, 50 days after Easter, with the story from Acts, of the Spirit descending upon Jesus' gathered disciples; the gift of the Spirit to the Church. That story includes the description of the disciples being given the ability to speak in all the languages of the world's peoples. (And so, in this visionary experience, even Jews and Arabs are worshiping God together!)

In the stained glass of the cupola in the St. Stephen building, many ancestors in the faith are depicted. Of those illustrations, the one that most strikes me is that of Abraham. He is depicted with a sash across his chest, and on the sash are three symbols: the Star of David, the Cross, and the Crescent Moon and Star of Islam. What foresight that stained glass artist had -- more than 40 years ago! -- to speak to our day. Think of this. If all the peoples of the world -- Jew, Christian and Muslim -- gave importance to the fact that we are all descendents of Abraham, and that that common ancestry in God is more important than any divisions among us, there would be the basis for peace in the world!

On this second day in the long season of Pentecost, here is the prayer in today's Daily Lectionary: "Father in heaven, fifty days have celebrated the fullness of the mystery of your revealed love. See your people gathered in prayer, open to receive the Spirit's flame. May it come to rest in our hearts and disperse the divisions of word and tongue. With one voice and one song may we praise your name in joy and thanksgiving. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen."