Holy
Spirit ~~ God’s Surprise
Pentecost, June 8, 2003
Happy
Birthday to us! Pentecost is the day that the church celebrates the gift of the
Holy Spirit that led to the birth of the Christian Church. It is a day of
celebration, and awe because after the death, resurrection, and ascension of
Jesus, God finds this new way to be manifest among us. For us Pentecost ends
the Easter season, but the first Pentecost was just the start of much more to
come.
Today’s
readings explore the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the church, and our
lives. On this day, the Holy Spirit fills the community of believers.
Today the disciples come out of hiding and begin to preach lit up by the
spirit. What is preached, for the first time in full form, is the good news of
Jesus and what it means for all people.
Luke’s description of Pentecost emphasizes the effects of the Spirit’s outpouring. Once the Holy Spirit descends on the early Christians, they are empowered to preach the saving message of the gospel to the ends of the earth. In this text, the author draws on traditional biblical images to describe the dramatic moment of Pentecost: wind, fire, and tongues that come to rest on each person. With spirit-filled fervor, the apostles speak in languages that can be understood by all those present. Those who heard it, whether they were residents of Jerusalem or pilgrims in town for the feast, were astounded by the variety of languages in which “God’s deeds of power” were communicated. The diversity of their geographical origins represents the spread of the gospel to all the nations of the world. The spirit breaks down all barriers and God’s presence fills the whole earth.
Luke’s message also focuses our attention on the transforming effects of the Spirit. We can never be the same once we have tasted the power of the Spirit in our lives. Only in the Spirit do we find the courage and the wisdom to witness and to set our world ablaze. In today’s church and world, we need to imitate the apostles in being culturally diverse and inclusive in the message that we proclaim to the ends of the earth. We need to listen to God’s Surprise that will nudge us into action.
On that first Pentecost, all of the Lord’s followers were gathered together in one place. They were talking, praying, wondering what was next for them. Then suddenly a mighty wind-like noise from heaven filled room. Fiery tongues moved about in all directions, and ccame to settle on each person present. The Holy Spirit took control and those gathered began speaking whatever languages the spirit let them speak. Many religious Jews from every country in the world were in Jerusalem at this time. When they heard the noise, a large crowd gathered. After all, what foreigners would expect to hear country bumpkins from Galilee speaking their very own languages? Everyone was excited and confused. Are we excited and confused with what is going on amid the noise of our daily lives? In our church? In our world? Can and do we hear God speaking an unexpected message from unexpected places through the Spirit within the noise and confusion of life?
At
least for that moment when the Lord’s followers were filled with the Holy
Spirit, the people heard and understood. The
spirit transformed the disciples, and they had the courage to do the preaching,
teaching, and healing that gave birth to our Church.
They poured out their lives, dreams, prayers, and struggles to find a new
language. Can we be stirred and
transformed by the wind of the spirit to become bearers of hope, healing,
justice, and peace.
This
would be something miraculous, and yet, as I look at what happened I can see
that the miracle of Pentecost was more than speaking in different languages.
It was understanding one another. It
was perhaps more a miracle of the “ear" than of the “tongue”.
The people must have really been listening to the disciples, and must
have really understood the remarkable words springing from each other’s
mouths.
It
is that gift, that miracle of listening that I hunger for in the
church, and in the world where passion for our own positions and beliefs often
dim our ability to truly hear one another.
We need to take part of both the people gathered around and of the
apostles. Where in our church
and in our world do we need to really listen and hear God in the noise?
How do we take the gifts of the spirit and step out into the world as the
apostles and followers did? Consider that for one shining moment that
spirit-filled group from every nation under heaven got it right.
They spoke with courage and they listened with grace.
This
is the invitation of the spirit, who often comes to us in disturbing ways and
challenges us to make surprising changes in our lives.
So today, as we celebrate the great feast of Pentecost, let us, like
them, open ourselves to these challenges and unexpected graces.
Let
us pray:
Holy
Spirit,
Surprise of God
Give us the gift . . .
of your wisdom and understanding,
knowledge, right judgement and reverence,
courage we ask for,
and wonder and awe in your presence.
Fill us with your gifts . . .
Challenge us in our lives to be voices of hope.
Enkindle us to share these gifts with others.
to all the ends of the earth.
Let us be the fire
igniting all
in your
path.