Trinity, Memorial Day, 2nd Sunday of Pentecost/Peace With Justice/Music Appreciation Sunday

May 30, 2010

“What Do You Expect”

Reverend Michael D. Powell

 John 14:25-27  

 

     

            This morning is the second Sunday of Pentecost, and historically it’s a day when the church celebrated what’s called “Trinity Sunday” and preachers talked about how the Third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, interfaced with the Creator God and Jesus, the Redeemer Son.  But that was back when things were easier. Some years back the United Methodist Church also claimed this particular day as Peace with Justice Sunday, and it just happens to fall on Memorial Day this year.  And, since it’s the choir’s last Sunday before their summer break, we decided to also make it Music Appreciation Sunday.  Oh yeah, and it’s also Fred’s birthday!  Sort of makes you wonder what to expect, doesn’t it? 

 

            What do you expect when you come to church?  Do you come hoping and praying, actually expecting to feel the peace of God and know that God’s will is today - always has been and always will be - for justice and reconciliation?   Do you come expecting to hear the music of the spheres, hoping to feel your heart strangely warmed by songs of praise and challenge, by anthems of courage and faith?  Do you come expecting to have your life transformed?   Are you looking for a miracle this morning?  Because, the fact is - we tend to get just about what we expect to get.  That’s how the Holy Spirit works.  The Holy Spirit reminds us of who we are and empowers us to be ambassadors of Christ, people of peace, workers for justice, agents of reconciliation, sharers of love and examples of courage. The Holy Spirit enables us to be the people and the church God created us to be. 

 

            During the season of Pentecost we celebrate these gifts of the Holy Spirit, and in this morning’s scripture Jesus says, “The HHoly SS Holy Spirit (the Advocate) whom God will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” 

 

            During Pentecost we pray to experience the peace, the joy and the confidence that Jesus promised.  In Acts 2 there’s an account of the first Pentecost, when the disciples were gathered, very possibly in the same upper room where they had shared the Last Supper with Jesus, perhaps the same space where Thomas and the others had been huddled in fear when the resurrected Christ had appeared among them.  Only this time it’s Pentecost, 50 days after Easter, and they’re gathered not in fear, but in expectation, waiting and wondering what this experience of the Holy Spirit was going to be like.

 

             The fact that they were expecting something to happen is important.  An attitude of expectant readiness influences, some would even say determines perception. Miracles are happening all around us, but unless we expect to see them, we may not recognize them.  Yes, the world is scary, dangerous, dark and foreboding.  But there is a peace that overcomes the warring divisions, an experience of light that still shines in the darkness.  That peace and that light is the gift of the Holy Spirit. Every Sunday, before the scriptures are read in the 11 o’clock service we pray for illumination, saying, “Lord, open our hearts by the power of your Holy Spirit, that as the scriptures are read we may hear with joy what you say to us today.”  I love those words.  It makes all the difference in the world when we approach worship with an attitude of prayerful expectation, waiting with joy for what God is going to say to us.  That ought to be our attitude every time we gather.

 

             So, they were gathered in prayerful expectation and, suddenly, it happened.  Maybe you don’t remember the story.  “Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.  They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.  All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”  Wow!  I don’t know what they were expecting, but I suspect it wasn’t high winds and flaming tongues.  But remember, we’re in the metaphorical realm of mystical experience here.

 

                Here are some examples of artist’s attempts down through the ages to depict the experience of that first Pentecost.  The first is a traditional painting for the High Altar of the Church of Holy Spirit at Sopron by Viennese artist, István Dorffmaister, in 1741. The second is a more joyful, even ecstatic portrayal from contemporary African artist, Jesus Mafa. 

      

            And here’s a totally different concept, entitled The descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles and Mary at Pentecost, by Elizabeth Wang, a contemporary British Catholic illustrator.  And a beautiful abstract Oil on Wood, by Chris Shreve.  And, finally, a quilt, by textile artist, quilter and designer,  Linda Schmidt.

                  

 

             Wind and fire are ancient symbols for the presence of God.  The story goes on to say that there was a crowd gathered outside the house, drawn by all the commotion, and some began joking saying, “They’ve drunk too much wine.” They didn’t realize that they were simply adding richness to the metaphor, because wine is also an ancient symbol of the Spirit.  The disciples were spiritually intoxicated on the wine of the Holy Spirit.  But the effect is exactly the opposite of alcoholic intoxication.  The scripture says that their speech became crystal clear and articulate.  They made perfect sense, and even the skeptical crowd was amazed that they could understand everything that was being said, even by those who spoke in foreign tongues.  That’s because the real miracle of Pentecost is a miracle of spiritual communication. 

 

            We call Pentecost the birthday of the church and that’s because when people’s hearts and minds and lives are transformed, that’s exactly when the true church is being born and the Body of Christ is taking on flesh.  Every single time we worship we ought to come hoping and praying for a personal experience of Pentecost.  Every Sunday, every day should be your birthday!

 

            The essence of the Pentecost experience is twofold: (1) the expectation that something miraculous can happen - right here and right now, and (2) the spiritual communication that draws people together in the unity of the Spirit.  If we honestly expect to see the Body of Christ, the peace, the power and the love of God being communicated through the ministry of this church, then we can also expect to experience the Holy Spirit.

 

            Can you feel the love?  God is here.  Is there peace in your heart?  God is here.  Has your heart been warmed?  Has your life been transformed?  Can you hear the music? Are you looking for a miracle?  God is here!  God is here!  God is here!  But, if you haven’t experienced it yet, have no fear.  God isn’t done with us yet.  We are still being birthed, and every day is a gift of the Holy Spirit.  Thanks be to God. Amen.