The Feast of Pentecost, Year C

Enthused with God’s Holy Spirit

Readings: Acts 2:1-21; Psalm 104:25-35; Romans 8:14-17; John 14:8-17, 25-27

"I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever," Jesus told the disciples. "The Spirit of truth to be in you." With those words, Jesus made it clear to them that they would not be left alone. The Spirit would be with them. They had recognized that the Spirit guided Jesus. So the same Spirit would dwell in them. With the help of the Spirit they would do great works. In fact, it was Jesus' expectation that they would accomplish even more than he had. They would be released from behind the locked doors that held them captive following his death and resurrection. In Greek it says that they would be 'enthused' which means literally 'God filled'. Released into a world in need of the transforming grace of God. Released into the world as channels of God's peace.

So when the day of Pentecost came, it is no surprise that they were all gathered together in one place. There is power in coming together as a community. They were waiting expectantly for the fulfillment of Jesus' words. Suddenly from heaven there is the sound of rushing wind. So powerful is the experience that it fills the whole house. Tongues of fire appear over their heads. They are empowered by the Holy Spirit. It is something they have been waiting for, the fulfillment of Jesus' promise to them. It marks God's presence and activity within them and within all of creation.

What an extraordinary change took place in them! A few frightened people huddled behind locked doors in an upper room, were transformed into a vibrant, outgoing community of faith. In their enthusiasm, they took the message of the resurrection to the streets. They went public. They became Christ Incarnate in the world.

We meet Sunday by Sunday as a community of believers. There is a power in meeting together, in sharing our experience of the how the Spirit is working in our lives. Part of our witness as Christians derives from gathering in a particular place in order to share the faith. Yet I sense that more often than not we see church as an isolated incident in our lives. We might share a small part of ourselves on occasion, something traumatic that has happened in our lives! Consider how the community comes together for a funeral. We may share some happiness in our lives. But most of the time we have no idea about the kind of pain and unhappiness that is going on in another person’s life.

That is tragic, for good things happen when we begin to see ourselves as a gathered community. It is our gathering that strengthens us in our faith. Our gathering equips us to go out with the message of the resurrection. To go out enthused, God filled. We, like the disciples become Christ Incarnate in the world.

The secular world accepts, and even understands many of our faith symbols. There is a general acceptance of the symbols associated with Christmas. Christmas trees are tolerated in most circles, although in this world of political correctness it may be become a holiday tree. After living for so many years in Mississauga, I was stunned to go into Port Hope at Christmas time and see a manger scene in the park. The cross is a recognized and accepted image. Those who give only nominal acceptance to the faith often wear the cross as a piece of jewellery.

But the Pentecostal experience, the symbol of fire, and praying in tongues, and the kind of enthusiastic response which goes with it, are at the very least embarrassing, and probably more to the point, totally incomprehensible. Incomprehensible not only to the secular world it seems, but also to many Christians. If we associate the events of Pentecost with Christianity in any particular form, it is with the charismatic elements of our faith. The tendency is to view charismatics with skepticism and alarm, sometimes deservedly so. I have heard a charismatic described as "a person who grabs you by the lapels and says 'you must speak in tongues'." And sadly that kind of exclusivity has often been the focus of such groups.

But Pentecost is an important event in the life of every Christian. We all need to find a way to express what happened at Pentecost in our lives. Jesus makes it clear that, just as the Spirit was made available to the disciples, so the Spirit would be with us working in us. We too are called to be enthused with the Spirit, to be God filled.

The experience of Pentecost is about how we begin to express that in our lives. Sometimes there are no words to express what we want to say about God. We grope for the right words. We sit in silence and soak in the beauty of a sunset. We dance. We sing. We pray. We express the Spirit in whatever way is right for us.

Do we really know that the Spirit is in us? The Spirit waits to be released and used as the greatest resource for living that we possess. Pentecost is about the energy and strength that come from being enlivened by God's Spirit. It is about freedom from fear and release from the locked door mentality. It is about the power to transform lives. It is about celebrating the diverse ways in which God's Spirit works.

But most of all, it is about doing greater things than Jesus did. “The one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these.” Can we even comprehend that? It is not enough to simply go on thinking that what we do is good and acceptable to God. Jesus healed the sick. He ate and drank with outcasts and sinners. He freed people from bondage.

We all have Spiritual gifts. If we used our gifts as God would have us, they could transform the world. What would it be like if we all used our gifts? There would be those who visit the sick and bring love to a lonely life. There would be those who respond to others needs, sharing faith, listening, caring. Others would teach children and young people with integrity and love. The prophets of our day would warn us of impending disaster and challenge us to clean up our world in order to avert economic and ecological disasters. Some would share wisdom helping us to think more clearly. Some would help us enunciate our faith more clearly. Others would provide the healing touch. There would be those who speak words of encouragement to the downhearted. Some would overcome great difficulties in their own lives and go on to help others. Some would pray. Others would inspire.

Are these not all manifestations of the Spirit of God working in the lives of people? Are they not images of Spirit-filled people, on fire with the passion of God's justice? Pentecost has happened to us. The Holy Spirit has been given and continues to abide within the lives of those who follow Christ. Where does the power come from? God is about us and within us at this very moment. Let us celebrate the presence of God's Spirit in the world and in the church. I wish you all, on behalf of the Church of God, a very happy, Spirit-filled birthday.