Pentecost Sunday: Reflections

May 22, 2026

Parallax

The following message by Sister Rita Heywood, SNDdeN was originally published by the SNDdeN Congregational Mission Office:  

Read: John 20: 19-23

Women in the Upper Room for the Feast of Pentecost

Was Mary the only woman present?  No. Other women in the upper room on the day of Pentecost are mentioned in Acts 1, which recounts the last moments of Jesus on earth.  Jesus gave His disciples specific directions. He directed them to return to Jerusalem and wait for the “Promise of the Father.”  (Acts 1:4)

When they arrived in Jerusalem, the women joined them.

Acts 1:12-14 – Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a day’s journey.  And when they arrived, they went up into the upper room where they were staying:  Peter, James, John and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James.  These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary, the Mother of Jesus and with His brothers.

This reflection continues on the SNDdeN International website.