May 18, 2024 – Pentecost

Pentecost means “The Fiftieth,” as it fell on the fiftieth day – or a week of weeks – after the Passover. Today, we heard a story from Acts where the followers of Christ were gathered together and were blessed by the Holy Spirit. We heard John tell us that Jesus “breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’” (Jn 20:22). Today, we celebrate the lively Spirit of God, blowing freely and wherever God wills, God’s gentle and occasionally wild presence, that transforms our lives and communities, breaks down barriers, and gives life to weary and uncertain persons and communities.

The disciples were imbued with a new inward power that quite literally transformed them. No longer were they meek disciples hiding in a locked upper room; they had become emboldened and spoke with a new authority. The Holy Spirit – often given a pronoun of “she” – transformed their lives and their community.

You have often heard me talk about how discernment and faith are things that we need to explore in the context of community. We can learn about our faith as individuals, we can read the Bible as individuals, we can practice our faith in private as individuals… but to grow our faith, to find out where God is leading us, we need to be in the context of community. That community doesn’t need to be a physically gathered community (although tradition, especially in our church, makes it seem that the alternative ways of gathering are somewhat “less than”).

There is an ancient African word “ubuntu,” which means “I am because you are” or perhaps “I am because we are.” We are created to be in community, to live and learn and love from and with each other. The disciples were changed but were still the same disciples, with the gift of the Holy Spirit enabling them to do great things. We, too, are enabled to do great things.

2,000 years ago as those disciples were gathered and Jesus breathed on them and God’s spirit entered them, everything was shaken up and barriers that separated humans were broken down. Fire and wind came forth and united the separated, inviting EVERYONE to be a part of God’s community. In the community we hear of today, diversity became a blessing, not a source of alienation. The marginalized disappeared… there was no in or out, no superiority or inferiority. Instead, the Spirit embraced all as equal recipients of divine inspiration.

Pentecost is so hard for us because it defies our rational categories. We have to delve into the depths of our creativity to allow for this mystical experience to take place. And that’s the gift of Pentecost – it invites us to consider moments of spiritual transcendence both personally and collectively. We are challenged to be spiritual and religious. We are challenged to ride the winds of the Holy Spirit and then return to our “previously scheduled program” of worship, bringing the vitality of the Spirit back to our institutional patterns and traditions. Pentecost disorders and brings novelty, and sometimes novelty is what we need to energize us!

Paul writes in his letter to the Romans that the Spirit of God is stirring within us. God’s Spirit gives life to all things and isn’t confined to our experiences. God’s Spirit also gives life to us. She moves within us, prays for us, and gives us wisdom to keep us present before God. We are NEVER without guidance or insight in our personal and congregational lives if we listen for her voice.

The words of Psalm 104 describe the wondrous diversity of life and the Holy Energy that is constantly giving life to all. God’s breath enlivens and inspires, birthing creation one moment at a time. And John’s Gospel describes God’s promise to his first followers and to us: the Spirit will give us wisdom and insight now and forevermore. Jesus never leaves us alone; we receive divine gifts even when Jesus is absent. There is an advocate, a comforter, a fortifier, who will reveal to us what to say and do.

The Spirit we receive as a community of believers will be countercultural, challenging the norms of our society. She will give us new visions, unexpected possibilities, and the courage to make them happen. God’s Spirit is unhindered, breaking down barriers, inspiring, illuminating, life-giving, and present in all of creation. She unites us in our diversity and invites us to go beyond our own borders to welcome others. She provides wisdom when our individual and collective wisdom appears meager. She guides us through the challenging journeys ahead.

So my friends, I have a few questions for you today. I’ll pause a few moments for you to consider these questions: What new visions is God giving us today? Where are we receiving divine guidance? How can we be attentive – individually and collectively – to God’s movements in our congregation?

Keep us true to who we are.
Enable us to use the gifts you have given.
Bless us with Your Spirit, that we might build upon the foundations of Christ
as we seek to be Your Church at work in the world.