June 12 Sermon: What Does This Mean?
Sermon, June 12, 2011, Pentecost Sunday
Holy Covenant UMC
Rev. Kate Hurst Floyd
Acts 2:1-20
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What does this mean?
What does this mean? A 12 year old boy asks his mom, as he eagerly walks to the Pentecost celebration. For weeks he’s been dreaming of the fried olives he’ll eat and having hummus for days; though he won’t admit it to his friends, he still longs to see the annual puppet show featuring his favorite superhero, Moses. Each year he anticipates the festival, but he’s finally old enough to wonder about why exactly they celebrate each year in Jerusalem. What does this mean, mom?
So on their way there, speaking Aramaic, she tells him about the harvest festival, when Jews from all over the world come together to eat, sing, worship and celebrate that God gave Moses the law at Mt. Sinai, 50 days after the Exodus from Egypt and freedom from slavery.
They’re joined by a couple who’s been married for 53 years, dreaming for months about the sweet red wine they’ll taste, their 53rd Pentecost together. They’re grown children and grandchildren surround them, chatting in Arabic, excited to be together.
Around the corner is a young couple, holding hands, whispering in Greek, dreaming of the bread they’ll break together this day.
This festival is like summer in Chicago…the people are out! Ready to soak up the sun. They can barely move for the crowds of people. The signs at the various booths are in fifteen different languages, so that all those who gather know the prices for wheat and cucumber and yogurt. They’re in the same place, speaking over and under and around one another, a virtual symphony of languages in Jerusalem.
Meanwhile, the disciples of Jesus are gathered in a home in central Jerusalem. Sounds of the city echoing outside their windows. Faithful followers from the land of Galilee who have been on one wild ride….has it really only been 50 days they wonder out loud? 50 days since we saw Jesus resurrected from the dead? Since we peered into that empty tomb? Broke bread with a dead man and knew ourselves to be saved?
What does this mean? They wonder.
And is anybody going to help them spread this preposterous story? Of death turned into life? For Jesus left, but he promised that he would leave behind an advocate, a helper….but for now, all that’s happening is that we’re sitting in a house, telling ourselves the same story we already know. Preaching to the choir without a clue as to how to spread this message. Scared of being arrested ourselves. Is Jesus really going to help? What did he mean he’d send somebody, something along to help? Maybe we should just go get some fried olives.
What does it mean?
We ask too; questions about faith. Children and youth bold enough to say to the adults around them: Why do we do what we do at church? Sing these hymns, pass the peace, dip bread into wine? Why are there so many books of the Bible, and why don’t they make more sense?
We’re here, at Holy Covenant, on Pentecost….dreaming for weeks of pie and pot-luck lunch, of singing “I’ll Fly Away” together like only we can.
But that doesn’t mean we know what it all means. For as adults, we continue to ask the hard questions: why do bad things happen to good people? Why are there seemingly oppressive verses in the Bible? How do I hear the voice of God, and really discern what’s next for me? If God is so loving, why is there so much hate in the world. What does it mean?
The Disciples are wondering, waiting for God, packed in that hot house in Jerusalem, hoping for a miracle, but tempted to just head to the festival and taste some of that sweet wine.
And suddenly from heaven there comes a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it fills the entire house where they’re sitting. Peter’s chair moves backward 2 feet because of the force, James and John’s hair is blown back, Mary’s prayer shawl flies off her shoulders; everybody holding on to a doorframe for some traction. They are shocked and amazed, wondering if they were in an earthquake or if a storm was coming…the wind continues to dance and circle around the room, when they look up and fire fills the ceiling. It’s in the shape of…tongues? Unlike anything they had ever seen. But oddly, miraculously, they’re not afraid. This is friendly fire, in the best sense of the phrase. They delight in the wind and the flames, swooping down to greet them. They each receive their very own tongue of fire, filling them up with the winds, not flames.
And as they feel the fire warming their bodies, first the top of their heads, and then moving down through their chests to the very tips of their toes, they are alive…more alive than they’ve ever been. Suddenly, they are able to tell the wonderful and mighty deeds of God…to articulate beautifully and fully what they witnessed 50 days ago; earlier they didn’t have words, now they can’t stop speaking!
Speaking in all the languages of the world….so that the message they were just telling to each other suddenly are available to any who have ears. And boy do they! For all those in the crowd headed to the festival, turn right around and swarm to that little house in the city center. Awed by the wind and the flames, and the beautiful voices sharing the most extraordinary story they had ever heard.
The boy and his mother are astonished as James speaks to them in Aramaic, telling them about the compassion and love of Jesus. They never felt such love, reaching from the top of their heads to the tip of their toes. …and the boy said: Mom, what does this mean?
It was miraculous; The Spirit of God is upon them.
The couple, in their 53 years together, had never seen such a sight. Their whole family crowds around John, speaking to them in pitch-perfect Arabic, poetry spilling from his mouth. They feel known, seen, and forgiven. Grace dancing around their heads and settled into their hearts.
It was miraculous; the Spirit of God is upon them.
The young lovers, so eager to be alone, are overwhelmed by the boundless love they felt radiating from this house. Mary looking right into their eyes, and in Greek, having them believe that life, everlasting, abundant, eternal life, always wins.
It was miraculous; the Spirit of God is upon them.
This is a radical, irrational, mind-blowing sight! These Galileans speaking in every single language, so that every person under heaven knows the power of God. And while so many are swept away, a few are skeptical; this can’t really be happening, can it? There’s got to be an explanation. They got into that sweet wine before any of us made it to the festival, gulped it all down by themselves, and now they’re putting on a big drunken show.
Do you know what this means? The skeptics say: All this means is that these guys are drunk. End of story.
But Peter, always the first to speak, jumps to their defense: you fool! It’s 9 in the morning. This is all the power of God…look at the rush of wind, feel the flames of fire, hear the magnificent words! This is a miracle, friends, by the power of God through our savior Jesus Christ. The Spirit is upon us!
Meanwhile, back in the 21st century, we cutely call Pentecost the “birthday” of the church…often celebrated with cake (my home church had a cookie cake each year that said “happy birthday, church!”). Here we feast on pie. We hear this incredible story together, year after year, sitting still in our seats…and then we eat. Another Sunday.
Today, friends, is far more than an occasion to eat pie! (Though we will, and it will be delicious). Today is a day of miracles! Not just to remember a story that’s 2,000 years old, but to live out that Spirit that continues to be present. It’s a miracle that the Spirit of God shows up here, week after week. Earth shattering, wind rushing, fire burning miracle! People from the outside are tempted to explain it away: Oh those Christians, singing and clapping, they’ve had a little bit too much of the holy water, if you know what I mean…And on the inside, we’re offended, defensive, ready to say: hey, we worship at 10:30am, we’re not drunk! But the truth is, we often explain away miracles ourselves…trying to find explanations for how flames fell upon the disciples and they all of a sudden knew every language. Maybe they studied other languages in school? Or had interpreters? Maybe the author fudged things for narrative effect, but it didn’t happen in quite that way. Jesus didn’t really walk on water, or heal a man of leprosy…there are basic scientific explanations. What does this mean?
The mighty, rushing wind, the holy fire of the Spirit of God can’t be explained or rationalized or made to fit our comfort zones. The Spirit is here, alive, and radical; empowering us to share Jesus Christ with the whole wide world.
Peter says to all those gathered, with ears to hear:
“In the last days it will be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young shall see visions,
and your old shall dream dreams.
God is giving you dreams, Peter says, visions, for every person under heaven. God’s dreams for love and peace and justice. God’s vision for a day when no one goes hungry or grows sick.
The Spirit continues to carry God’s dreams to us today. What could be more miraculous?
As you know, today is our last Sunday together, my last sermon at Holy Covenant. In fact, after we’ve eaten some pie, Kyle and I will drive out of Chicago and head to Georgia.
As I’ve been reflecting on leaving, I can’t help but ask: What does our time together mean? I can’t explain it in mere words. Rationalize our experience, and move on as if nothing has changed, and we’ll go to church next year and hear this same old story, eat cake or pie. Because a miracle has taken place; I can’t explain it nor articulate it fully…but I do know, Holy Covenant, that the Spirit of God is upon us.
When I drove to Chicago, not knowing a soul….never having led a church before, God’s grace was abundant. Abundant in the intimacy of relationship….You have allowed me to visit you in the hospital, to hear your most sacred stories, private secrets; called me crying or in need of prayer. We’ve prayed together, held hands with one another in silence. Our relationships are sacred. What an overwhelming privilege that you’ve let me so deeply into your lives. And you’ve journeyed with me, through my life’s transformations.
The Spirit of God was blowing a gentle breath upon us.
When we marched together in the Pride Parade, my first, proclaiming God’s love for all as a Reconciling church:
The Spirit of God was sending down a mighty flame.
When we worship together, the sounds of the city echoing outside our windows:
The Spirit of God rushed through here like the wind.
For me, our time together has been truly miraculous. An abundant gift from God and a privilege that I can’t understand nor explain, but one I’m grateful for each day. I’ve never felt more alive with God than I have these past two years. Our time hasn’t been perfect; life never is. I made many a mistake, and you forgave me and loved me through them. This was my first time to lead a church, to be the pastor, and I am the minister I am because of you. Changed, forever, by the grace of God lived out each day through your presence. You taught me, welcomed me, challenged me, and always met me around God’s perfect table. The hands and feet of Jesus, outstretched in love.
One of your greatest gifts, Holy Covenant, is that you do boldly ask the questions: Why is there injustice for hotel workers? How can we welcome more people? What can we do to reduce our environmental impact? How can we best pray for our congregation? For the world? How do we recapture the message of Christmas?
What does our faith mean?
You defy black and white answers, cut and dry solutions, a faith based on fear. You embrace the Spirit of God at work and boldly work for change. You don’t sit still, in a room with other followers, telling the same old story to each other. Instead, you take your faith to the streets, even and especially when you don’t have answers; sharing life, God’s gift of life, with those you encounter. From the beginning this church was never still…active in the civil rights movement; seeking justice for Japanese Americans interned in camps; advocating clergy rights for women. The future is bright, Holy Covenant, for you are on fire. God’s rushing wind is mighty in this place!
I’m so grateful to have witnessed God’s presence here for a little while.
Thank you, Spirit of God. Thank you, Holy Covenant.
God’s dreams are upon you. God’s vision is before you. Dream dreams, Holy Covenant, share the Gospel with all people under heaven, believe in miracles! Especially the miraculous power of God that leads us, ever forward, to Seek God, Love all People, and Change the World.
May it be so. Amen.
Tags: Kate
