We Wonder

Today’s reading is from the gospel of Matthew, chapter 22, verses 34 through 40. As we listen, can I open my heart to what the Holy Spirit might want me to hear? Are there any words or phrases that specially stand out to me today?

34 The Pharisees heard that the Sadducees weren’t able to answer Jesus. So the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them was an authority on the law. So he tested Jesus with a question. 36 “Teacher,” he said, “which is the most important command in the Law?”

37 Jesus replied, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Love him with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and most important commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ 40 Everything that is written in the Law and the Prophets is based on these two commandments. (NIRV)

God, we love because you first loved us. Root us in your love, so that we are like trees planted by living streams. And as we receive all that you give, help us to love not just with our words but with our whole lives, so that everyone will know we are your children. Send your love through us into this world you have made. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. 

We Wonder is written and hosted by Sarah Dahl, and is produced by Richard Clark and Nick Thompson. You can support this and future seasons of the podcast by joining us as a patron: visit patreon.com/wewonder to learn more. 

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @wewonderpod to stay in touch, or learn more at www.wewonderpod.com. Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you tomorrow!

Today’s reading is from Paul’s letter to the Galatians, chapter 5, verses 22 through 25. As we listen, can I open my heart to what the Holy Spirit might want me to hear? Are there any words or phrases that specially stand out to me today?

22 But the fruit the Holy Spirit produces is love, joy, and peace. It is being patient, kind, and good. It is being faithful 23 and gentle and having control of oneself. There is no law against things of that kind. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed their sinful desires to the cross. They don’t want these things anymore. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (NIRV)

God, we love because you first loved us. Root us in your love, so that we are like trees planted by living streams. And as we receive all that you give, help us to love not just with our words but with our whole lives, so that everyone will know we are your children. Send your love through us into this world you have made. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. 

We Wonder is written and hosted by Sarah Dahl, and is produced by Richard Clark and Nick Thompson. You can support this and future seasons of the podcast by joining us as a patron: visit patreon.com/wewonder to learn more. 

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @wewonderpod to stay in touch, or learn more at www.wewonderpod.com. Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you tomorrow!

This season, during Ordinary Time, we are going to spend time reading and praying about the Holy Spirit has promised to grow in us, when we abide in Jesus. When we are connected to Jesus, like the branches to a vine, then his character will begin to become ours. We will look at passages of Scripture that teach us about the fruit that blossoms in us, by the power of the Holy Spirit, and that can nourish us and our world: fruit like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Today’s reading is from Acts 2:1-17, and 32-33.

1 When the day of Pentecost came, all the believers gathered in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound came from heaven. It was like a strong wind blowing. It filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw something that looked like fire in the shape of tongues. The flames separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit. They began to speak in languages they had not known before. The Spirit gave them the ability to do this. 

5 Godly Jews from every country in the world were staying in Jerusalem. 6 A crowd came together when they heard the sound. They were bewildered because each of them heard their own language being spoken. 7 The crowd was really amazed. They asked, “Aren’t all of these people who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then why do we each hear them speaking in our own native language? 9 We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites. We live in Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia. We are from Pontus, Asia, 10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia. Others of us are from Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene. Still others are visitors from Rome. 11 Some of the visitors are Jews. Others have accepted the Jewish faith. Also, Cretans and Arabs are here. We hear all these people speaking about God’s wonders in our own languages!” 12 They were amazed and bewildered. They asked one another, “What does this mean?”

13 But some people in the crowd made fun of the believers. “They’ve had too much wine!” they said. 

14 Then Peter stood up with the 11 apostles. In a loud voice he spoke to the crowd. “My fellow Jews,” he said, “let me explain this to you. All of you who live in Jerusalem, listen carefully to what I say. 15 You think these people are drunk. But they aren’t! It’s only nine o’clock in the morning! 16 No, here is what the prophet Joel meant. 17 He said, 

In the last days, God says, 

I will pour out my Holy Spirit on all people.

Your sons and daughters will prophesy. 

Your young men will see visions. 

Your old men will have dreams.

And now, verses 32 through 33:

Peter said, 32 God raised this same Jesus back to life. We are all witnesses of this. 33 Jesus has been given a place of honor at the right hand of God. He has received the Holy Spirit from the Father. This is what God had promised. It is Jesus who has poured out what you now see and hear.

We Wonder is written and hosted by Sarah Dahl, and produced by Richard Clark and Nick Thompson. You can connect with us at [email protected], or on Instagram and Twitter @wewonderpod. 

Like what you hear? Want to support future seasons and get some occasional fun insider perks? Support We Wonder by becoming a monthly patron: visit https://patreon.com/wewonder to learn more.

We Wonder is written and hosted by Sarah Dahl, and produced by Richard Clark and Nick Thompson. You can connect with us at [email protected], or on Instagram and Twitter @wewonderpod. 

Like what you hear? Want to support future seasons and get some occasional fun insider perks? Support We Wonder by becoming a monthly patron: visit https://patreon.com/wewonder to learn more.

We Wonder is written and hosted by Sarah Dahl, and produced by Richard Clark and Nick Thompson. You can connect with us at [email protected], or on Instagram and Twitter @wewonderpod. 

Like what you hear? Want to support future seasons and get some occasional fun insider perks? Support We Wonder by becoming a monthly patron: visit https://patreon.com/wewonder to learn more.

We Wonder is written and hosted by Sarah Dahl, and produced by Richard Clark and Nick Thompson. You can connect with us at [email protected], or on Instagram and Twitter @wewonderpod. 

Like what you hear? Want to support future seasons and get some occasional fun insider perks? Support We Wonder by becoming a monthly patron: visit https://patreon.com/wewonder to learn more.

We Wonder is taking Memorial Day weekend off and will return on Monday!