Pentecost Sunday 2021 – Acts 2:1-21 and John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15
Years ago, I heard an interview with then-rising movie star, Julia Roberts. The interviewer was talking with the actress about her beginnings, and it was revealed that Roberts’ father had died when the actress was only 10 years old, fundamentally changing her life.
But the thing that stood out to me is how Roberts spoke about having a relationship with her father that was changed, but resilient and everlasting. When alive, she and her father were separated by distance following her parents’ divorce.
But now, her father is present with her in spirit wherever she is, no longer confined by physical space and the limitations of mortality.
I found that thinking about my own loved ones who have died in this way, was liberating and comforting. And that helps me to understand and speak to the mystery of the Holy Spirit whom we celebrate today, and our ongoing relationship with our Lord, whom we can neither see nor touch.
The pervasive presence of Spirit Jesus gives as both inspiration and accompaniment is part of the promise of which we read of in today’s Gospel text. Jesus will no longer be in literal bodily presence of his disciples as they have known him until now (except for the 3 days between his crucifixion and resurrection); but he will be with them in a new, powerful, and ongoing way through his Spirit.
This Spirit whom Jesus had promised comes upon them not simply as a presence, but as the power that enables, guides, empowers, instructs, and intercedes for the disciples.
It was fifty days after Easter; the disciples were gathered together. Jesus had ascended into heaven just ten days before, right in front of their eyes. so, they know there will be no more of the post-resurrection visits with their master, no more meals eaten together, no more learning from him as they had been doing from the day each one had met him.
But then, something amazing happens as a great wind enters the room and the promised Advocate, the Holy Spirit, pours herself out on them in divided tongues of fire, visibly resting on each of them.
On that day. the Holy Spirit crosses boundaries that had previously confined them and defined them. The Holy Spirit will glorify Jesus and will enable the actions of his beloved disciples, begun and ended in him, to glorify Jesus as well, through the one, true faith.
On this Pentecost Sunday we celebrate that Spirit. For centuries and still in many places, this Sunday is considered to be a wonderful birthday celebration of the Church. The reading from Acts that is always read on Pentecost, which tells what happened in Jerusalem that day is part of the reason for equating the day to a birthday celebration. It’s like each of the disciples there was a candle standing in the room and lit by the candle-lighter God with flame given oxygen by the Holy Spirit.
It was fifty days
after Easter that the Holy Spirit crossed all boundaries. In the reading from
Acts, the boundary indicated of cour
se is that of language, but we know that
there are many boundaries which separate people today, especially in matters of
religion, belief, and practice.
Jesus promises that this Advocate, the Spirit with whom he will gift his followers, will accompany his followers and enable them to do things they never before thought possible, revealing the truth about the identity, power, character, and peace of Jesus the Christ, through whom God loves the world.
Thus, as Jesus was physically lifted up into the sky and now sits at the right hand of the Father, so it is that the Spirit serves as his presence, power, mercy, and peace in every place and land where the good news of Jesus is shared, and his love is embodied.
This is where Julia Roberts’s observation and our own understanding may run parallel. Through his Spirit, Jesus is no longer limited by a human body or the nature of physics. Instead, Jesus is at once everywhere with everyone who believes in him, and he empowers them by his Spirit as they serve him by sharing his story. Through his Spirit, Jesus is always with us, and never apart from us.
A manifestation of the Spirit’s work and Spirit’s power is seen in the two young people in our congregation today. Sophia and Brett, who have completed at least two years of study and will Affirm their Baptisms during the Rite of Confirmation, this week and next.
Baptism is the mark of the Christian, and it is during baptism that we pray for the Spirit’s blessing of gifts of faith on a person. Sophia and Brett were both baptized as babies. Now they take responsibility for opening themselves up to the Scriptures, the Sacraments, and Community formed by the Spirit, and to being disciples blessed for sharing the Good News of Jesus the Christ, the Son of God, in their lives.
We included their Faith Papers with the bulletins you received today, but I wanted to share some of the wisdom, derived of the Spirit, that they shared in their writing:
Brett shared the challenge of living a Christian life in this day and age -
The most difficult thing about following Jesus is that I’m not physically able to see him. I am a hands on learner and I like to be able to see and touch things. This explains the reason I am so successful in science. I am able to touch things and see the reactions that they make. As it may be hard to follow Jesus and understand what is written in the Bible, when I break it all down little by little it is a little easier to follow him.
I feel that the Bible verse Ephesians 4:32 is needed to be heard by all. It states, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” This means that you don’t always know someone’s background…..You should be kind and nice to them even if they aren’t doing it back. God will forgive them and will praise you for the great act of kindness you have committed.
God died on the cross for you, and he didn’t intend for everyone to be mad at each other. He wants everyone to be kind, but that doesn’t always happen. When someone isn’t nice to you, you could throw a fit and start a fight, but instead he wants you to be the bigger person and forgive them. That one time you forgive them could be the one thing that changes their life forever.
Sophia addressed her favorite verse when she wrote:
“ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God”- Philippians 4:6
I choose this verse because it has an important message that we should remember in our daily lives. To me, this quote means to worry about nothing, and instead pray about everything. This is true and can apply to many situations that we face during our lives.
Trust in God, and everything will be okay. In my own words, the Gospel message is both the beginning of our world and Creation, as well as a “guide” to living a successful life through Jesus, our Creator. Right now, in my life, the Gospel means the pathway to living a Christian life dedicated to Jesus and for him.
The Gospel is proof of our Creator and that He has a plan for all of us. I want to affirm my faith in Jesus right now so I can live a successful life through him. Through Jesus, I will be able to overcome any situation given, push through all my struggles, and know how to handle any ball thrown at me. I was able to grow my faith in Jesus through each Confirmation class. The best part of Confirmation was being able to grow my relationship with God and having great members to help me in this process. Although Confirmation is coming to an end, I intend to continue growing in my faith.
Today as we celebrate the power and work of the Holy Spirit in drawing the church together and blessing it, we remember that it is in Baptism that we are each marked with the cross of Christ and sealed with the Holy Spirit forever. Due to the restrictions we are still under it seemed inadvisable to “sprinkle” you all with water from the Baptismal font, but we have a gift for each of you on this celebration day. On your way out of worship today, you will receive a little container of water from the baptismal font and a card, reminding you of the power of Christ in you through the power of the Holy Spirit you received in your Baptism.
You will also receive a card with a prayer on it. Take it home and sprinkle or pour that water over your head as you pray the prayer on the card, and remember on this Pentecost Sunday that you, too, are a Child of God, intended for great works and blessed through your Baptism for the same.
If you are not able to be in church, Recite this prayer as you make the sign of the cross upon your body. Know that in Jesus you are loved beyond belief and that through the Holy Spirit, you are blessed in the power of his name. Thanks be to God!
Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment