Pentecost

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Sermon

Sermon by Deacon Steve Seibert

​In some parts of the Anglican Communion, of which the Episcopal Church is a part, Pentecost is known as Whitsunday. This is especially so in England. Whit is a form of the word white, and refers to  the white garments worn by the newly baptized; white signifies purity that has come through baptism. Some churches lower a carved dove into the congregation and call this – are you ready? – swinging the Holy Ghost!  Cattle are decorated for this feast day; an overdressed person is said to be dressed like a Whitsun ox!

FULL SERMON

In some parts of the Anglican Communion, of which the Episcopal Church is a part, Pentecost is known as Whitsunday. This is especially so in England. Whit is a form of the word white, and refers to  the white garments worn by the newly baptized; white signifies purity that has come through baptism. Some churches lower a carved dove into the congregation and call this – are you ready? – swinging the Holy Ghost!  Cattle are decorated for this feast day; an overdressed person is said to be dressed like a Whitsun ox!

I thought of creating a variation on that tradition. Since the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples as tongues of fire, I would throw out fireballs to all of you so that you could experience a tongue of fire yourself! I never could ascertain if that inspiration came from the Holy Spirit or not. Anyway, with my aim it could be dangerous! So you are safe!

When we hear this morning’s passage from Acts – Thank you, readers, for making that passage come alive for us – coupled with the gospel, we may think that the disciples have been holed up since Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, cowering in fear. But they have not. Uncertain what to do after Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit upon them on the evening of the first Easter, they have returned to some of their previous enterprises, such as fishing. They have also had a seaside breakfast with Jesus as chef. “he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days. Telling them you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. Ten days ago, Jesus ascended from their presence, directing them to return to Jerusalem.

We are wise to note that power from God’s viewpoint is not what we often view as power. Think: Jesus allowing his crucifixion. When the disciples ask Jesus if he is about to restore the kingdom to Israel, he tells them they don’t need to concern themselves with that. God’s power through the Holy Spirit is not control, force, or might. God’s power is knowledge, authority and the confidence to speak to a large crowd; it may grow into a willingness to speak truth to power, even if the cost is life itself. God’s power is love. In fact, when some sneer and attribute this incredible event to being drunk, we realize that this power may call us to be fools in the eyes of the world. Are we so in love with Jesus that we are willing to be a fool for him? A fool for Jesus Christ?

Let us imagine being in Jerusalem that Pentecost morning from two viewpoints. First, as a disciple, waiting over the last ten days with some sense of expectation and yet, not knowing exactly what to expect. There is a rush of wind that blows right into the house where you have been staying. Then tongues – as of fire – appear and then rest on each one. You find yourself along with the others going out into the streets of Jerusalem, speaking of Jesus’ great love and sacrifice, speaking with a confidence that surprises you, and then you realize you are not speaking in Aramaic or Hebrew. Yet you understand every word of what you are saying. And from the connection you are making with some in the crowd, they understand you! When Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit upon you seven weeks ago on Easter, you weren’t quite sure what would happen though you felt a power growing in the core of your being. Now you feel it joyously bursting out of you!

Let’s swing the camera around, change the viewpoint. You have traveled from Pamphylia for the Feast of Weeks, also known as Pentecost, a time to gather in joy and thanksgiving to God for the harvest. You were in the streets with your fellow pilgrims when a powerful wind began blowing. Then some people came out of a house into the street with what looked like a small tongue of fire hovering over each of them, speaking of the saving acts and love of Jesus, the prophet who had been crucified at the Passover. What’s more, one person of the group is speaking in your native tongue, Pamphylian. As you listen, you hear truth spoken with authority. You look around at the other men with whom you have traveled. Yes, they are hearing and understanding this, too. You know your life will never be the same. You cannot wait to get back home and share this with your family!

Pentecost is often called the birthday of the Church and rightly so. Later, on this same day, 3000 people are baptized. The Church begins to grow. This is just the beginning. And I’m not trying to minimalize that.  But God’s Holy Spirit cannot be contained in one place or institution, even the Church. Peter says as much:

In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon ALL flesh.
ALL FLESH!
Not just your sons, but your sons AND your daughters
Not just those who years might seem to give them wisdom, but young and old
Not just those with some privilege, but slaves, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN!

And if you may be thinking that Peter might be mistaken in what he is saying, remember this is Peter who very recently denied that he even knew Jesus!  The words are spoken by Peter, but they are the words of the Holy Spirit.

There are many names and images for the Holy Spirit. After all, our words cannot fully describe God. Some of us remember that the third person of the Trinity was called the Holy Ghost. An unseen presence.

There is the dove, present at Christ’s baptism. A gentle presence.

An advocate, one who will stand beside us, supporting us. Paul tells us that when we have no words to pray, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, with sighs too deep for words.

Then fire, as tongues on Pentecost, and when we ask the Holy Spirit to set our hearts on fire.
Wind, again as on Pentecost, or when Philip baptizes the Ethiopian eunuch and the spirit immediately takes him way. When Jesus is speaking to Nicodemus, he says, “The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know from where it comes or where it goes, so it is of everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

I will share with you my favorite image of the Holy Spirit. It comes from Celtic Christianity.

Sister Terry Rickard tells us of that image. Here are her words. The Holy Spirit is represented not as a peaceful dove but instead as a wild goose. The wild goose reveals a spirit which is passionate, noisy and courageous. This symbol reminds us that God’s spirit cannot be tamed or contained. Throughout Christian history, the prophetic cries of saints, movements and religious communities – like the calls of those geese – have alerted the Church to the need for renewal and reform. The work of renewing and reforming in never done in isolation but as part of the community of the faithful which is very human and often fearful and uncertain.

Knowing that God’s Spirit cannot be tamed or contained resonates very deeply for me. Is the Holy Spirit moving throughout the Church? Absolutely!  God’s pouring the Holy Spirit on sons and daughters along with the Spirit moving within the Church brought us to the place of recognizing that women are called to ordained ministry as deacons, priests and bishops. This only took us about 20 centuries! Does the Holy Spirit move within the many religions of the world? Yes. I will pour out my spirit on all flesh.

What about in the so-called secular world? All of creation is God’s. We may draw a line between what we see as sacred and secular. I don’t think the Holy Spirit recognizes that line! Remember Sister Terry’s words: God’s spirit cannot be tamed or contained. Thirty years ago we took our daughter and son to see “The Little Mermaid”. It was a family favorite; there was even a mermaid with our daughter’s name, Alana. Never occurred to us to even question that all the mermaids looked like us. White. Now Disney has remade this movie and the mermaid Ariel is now a young black woman. How wonderful for all of us! And especially for young black girls and boys who can now see someone who looks like them in this story. That promise – all flesh – continues to echo through the centuries.

Now I’d like to tell you about the Holy Spirit moving among us here at St. Cyprian’s. This is a story that began sometime ago; I cannot know just when. But It is clear to me that the Holy Spirit, a/k/a, the Wild Goose, is present and active.

We pick up the thread all those years ago when Dr. Deeh and others chose to stay at St. Cyprian’s. Woven into this tapestry are two beloved priests: Fr. Ted and Pastor Deena, who chose to be servant leaders to the Body of Christ here at St. Cyprian’s. There may have been others; I’m telling you what I know. There is woman of color who feels that God’s call on her life is to ordained ministry; Clerene Romeo. There are two women, Mignon Williams and Dr. Deeh, who advanced God’s kingdom by reestablishing the Hope Chapter of the Daughters of the King.

Fifty miles away, there was a decision made at the diocesan level to have Bishop Jay Lambert, Assisting Bishop, visit St. Cyprian’s on Easter Sunday. Clerene reminded me during Holy week that she had told me some time ago that she wanted to reaffirm her Baptismal Covenant on Easter. I had forgotten. (I wish there was a softer word!) There was and is a grace-filled Parish Administrator named Holly Horahan who redid the bulletin during a very busy Holy Week! Without complaining! Then I found out that Bishop Lambert would not be involved in distributing communion. That meant we needed a Eucharistic Minister. I made a call to Senior Warden Jim Vande Berg, who told me that he had just the person in mind. Thirty minutes later he informed me that Clerene would serve as Eucharistic Minister. So, on that Easter Sunday, Clerene met with Bishop Lambert before church began as one reaffirming her covenant, sang in the choir, reaffirmed her baptismal covenant and then served as a Eucharistic Minister. Dr. Deeh then spoke to the congregation about Clerene’s journey to answer God’s call. Bishop Lambert heard, understood, and promised to help.
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Pretty great story. Right? I’m not done.

A few weeks later, Clerene went to a Daughters of the King retreat at Camp Weed. There she met two black ordained women from this diocese; Mother Carrie English and Deacon Marsha Holmes. She was able to spend time with them and receive guidance and support.

I’m still not finished.

A week or so after that, as our Healing Service was just beginning, a black woman entered the church. We invited her to stay. Turns out, she is an Episcopal priest and rector at a parish in the diocese of Atlanta. She and Clerene spoke after the service and have exchanged contact information.

Clerene now has a trinity of black ordained women to walk with and guide her on her journey!
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So many moving and seemingly unrelated parts to this wonderful story that is still unfolding. I can only attribute this to the spirit of God that cannot be tamed or contained. The Wild Goose!
 
Amen.