Today's Scripture Readings
When the day of Pentecost had come, the disciples were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs-- in our own languages we hear them speaking about God's deeds of power." All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" But others sneered and said, "They are filled with new wine."
But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o'clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:
- `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 men shall see visions,
- and your old men shall dream dreams.
- Even upon my slaves, both men and women,
- in those days I will pour out my Spirit;
- and they shall prophesy.
- And I will show portents in the heaven above
- and signs on the earth below,
- blood, and fire, and smoky mist.
- The sun shall be turned to darkness
- and the moon to blood,
- before the coming of the Lord's great and glorious day.
- Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.' "
Psalm 104 (BCP., p.736)
Romans 8: 14-17 (NRSV)
All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ-- if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.
Philip said to Jesus, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, `Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.
"If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you."
"I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father 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."
Blog Reflection
As Christians, we celebrate God pouring out the fullness of God's presence and power by the way of the Holy Spirit. The Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus Christ brings it's best and most powerful grace. The out pouring of the Holy Spirit to come on those first Apostles gathered in that upper room. The experience was so life changing that it brought with it the ecstasy of God's presence made real, and faith given reason to give birth to the Church. The Faith of the Apostolic ministry becomes empowered to speak boldly about God's act of salvation in Jesus Christ, and to advance the arrival of God's Reign. The arrival of the Holy Spirit unties the bonds of different languages, so that each person listening can hear the message of the Gospel in their own tongue. The joy of God's love and mercy can be received by everyone, without distinction.
Psalm 104 blesses the Lord with all our souls, as the Holy Spirit is celebrated as God created all things. All creatures great and small, are the product of God's Spirit that has existed before all time. On Pentecost the prayer of Psalm 104:31 is answered. "You send forth your Spirit, and they are created, and so you renew the face of the earth." The prayer is answered for the Apostles, but continues to be the prayer of Christ on behalf of us. That God's Holy Spirit will impart Her graces upon us, in this time, to be Christ's answer to how the Spirit renews the face of the earth.
The Gospel for today is so well fitted to what we are reading in Acts, the Psalms, and Paul's letter to the Romans. Philip asks the question that all of us ask from time to time. "Jesus, show us the Father." Philip is blessed with the physical presence of Jesus. He reminds Philip that he has in fact seen the Father in Christ. Philips search for God is found in Christ, who is God's perfect revelation of Self. Jesus' affirmation of Philips faith is not just a matter of personal revelation. It is to be evident in Philips ability to love God by way of all that Christ has commanded.
The commandments of God in Christ are to be lived by faith in Christ and the Holy Spirit that is given on the Day of Pentecost. God is present in the Holy Trinity by way of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, so as to lead us to God in faith and in action through our daily lives as we love one another as Christ loves us. It gives evidence to the presence of the Holy Spirit who has come to speak and transform ourselves and others around us. To transform a world filled with the darkness of violence, poverty, prejudice, oppression, and injustice. To transform the Church to end the sins committed by a masked religious zeal to marginalize women, LGBTQ people, people of different races, religions, people who are economically, physically/developmentally/emotionally challenged, cultures and abilities. The Church must be open to being continually renewed to become the Community of the Spirit, by extending our hands and arms in radical hospitality and reconciliation. Ready to kneel down and wash the feet of all who come, looking for hope and a place to rest their souls.
This week, the Holy Spirit moved on the State of Minnesota. On Tuesday, May 14, 2013 Governor Mark Dayton of Minnesota signed into law the freedom to marry bill. As of August 1, 2013 LGBT people will be able to legally marry the person they love. Minnesota's Episcopal Bishop, Brian Prior recognizes that within our Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion there is a diversity that must be honored. This includes respect for those Parishes in our Episcopal Church in Minnesota that may chose not to bless same-sex relationships. I personally would love to have every Episcopal parish agree to bless same-sex relationships. I tend to agree with those who would remark that parishes that don't are not being open to the movement of the Spirit. However, the Spirit moves however She chooses, when She chooses, and on whomever She chooses. Even on hearts like mine that are so arrogant, opinionated, and often not as open as they should be. It is so important on this Day of Pentecost to honor the Spirit moving as She does in the hearts of each person, including those we disagree with. Oh, how I need to better understand that with love and compassion with them, as God does with me. As with all Christians.
The Holy Spirit has come. She has come to speak and transform us, our communities, ourselves, our relationships, our prayers. To renew them to be life-giving in diversity, and in common.
As Pentecost officially closes the Easter Season of 2013, may Christians move forward with a renewed commitment to love God, our neighbors, ourselves and to strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being with God's help. May the Holy Spirit who came to speak and transform, begin with us and lead us forward in peace and hope.
Amen.
Almighty God, on this day you opened the way of eternal life
to every race and nation by the promised gift of your Holy
Spirit: Shed abroad this gift throughout the world by the
preaching of the Gospel, that it may reach to the ends of the
earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns
with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever
and ever. Amen. (Collect for Pentecost, Book of Common Prayer, p. 227).
O God, who on this day taught the hearts of your faithful
people by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit:
Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all
things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through
Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and
ever. Amen. (Collect for Pentecost, Book of Common Prayer, p. 227).
Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so
move every human heart [and especially the hearts of the
people of this land], that barriers which divide us may
crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our
divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for Social Justice, Book of Common Prayer, p. 823).
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