Readings for Pentecost B
Acts 2:1-11; 1Cor. 12:4-13; Jn. 20:19-23
June 8, 2003
The Rev. Karen Siegfriedt
St. Jude the Apostle Episcopal Church, Cupertino,
CA
And Jesus breathed on his disciples and said: "Receive the Holy Spirit" [Jn. 20]
Sixty years ago in Germany, there was a convent of Catholic nuns whose ministry was to take care of the abandoned babies who were orphaned by the tragedies of World War II. Because the infrastructure of Germany was crumbling as the war continued, there were few other institutions available to help out with this ministry. The number of orphans grew day by day, far exceeding the capacity of the convent. But instead of refusing to accept new orphans (who would have died otherwise), the nuns developed a mechanical system of feeding and taking care of the babies. Bottles of milk would be propped into the babies' mouths and after a few hours of feeding, their diapers would be changed. There was no time to hold these babies; only time to attend to their physical needs. As a result, these babies suffered deep psychological wounds from a lack of love and nurture. Because these wounds were subconscious and never healed, these babies ended up in the criminal justice system when they became adults. It appeared that these adults had not fully developed their humanity.
What is it that makes us truly human? What is it that makes us whole, conscious, loving, and generous human beings? What does it mean to be created in the image of God? How do we arrange our life so that the image of God shines from our very being? How does our heart learn to grow in compassion for others? How do we overcome the wounds of our past, forgiving others, and then reaching out beyond ourselves for the common good? How do we know what is true, what is of God, and what is best for ourselves? How can we experience a transformed life so that love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control mark the emotional timbre of our life? This is the providence of the Holy Spirit, the subject of my sermon on this feast of Pentecost.
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God that pulls us into the powerful flow of God's purpose for creation. If we are willing, the Holy Spirit can mold us into the people God wills for us to be and lead us into all truth. We were created to enjoy this universe, to celebrate life, and to live in harmony with one another in love. But in our freedom, we chose to place ourselves (rather than God) at the center of the universe. Because we made ourselves the center of the universe, our choices were based on the desires of our ego and passions, many of which were hurtful, harmful, and alienating. This seeking of our own will (rather than God's will), distorted our relationship with God, with other people, with ourselves, and with all creation. 2000 years ago, the historical Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit, walked among the 1st century Jews of Palestine, showing them a way out of this alienation. Jesus laid out a path of compassion, a path of generosity, a path of forgiveness, and showed us how a full life was possible for those who oriented their lives around God. Jesus promised us an abundant life in all its fullness which in "churchy" language is called the Kingdom of God.
But as I read today's newspaper, listen to the news, and look around the world, this promise of the Kingdom of God seems like wishful thinking. Is abundant life a possibility for humanity or is it simply a fantasy of a 1st century Jew? Why? Why? Why is there so much killing in the world? Why do 6000 children die each morning from hunger when there is plenty of food? Why do we hurt one another? Why are we as a population suffering from such anxiety and depression? Why is there so much political unrest, deprivation of human rights, and outright suffering and pain if the Kingdom of God has been inaugurated?
What seems to be apparent is this: God does not force God's self on us. God allows us to have free will, even the freedom to self-destruct. We have the freedom to hold onto the wounds of the past or to forgive. We have the freedom to live in a fog or to stand up for the truth. We have the freedom to be a victim or to be a healer. The only way abundant life is possible, is for the whole human race, to live by faith in God. By faith in God, I mean, orienting our minds, our bodies, our hearts, and souls in God. Everyone one has faith, (although not everyone has faith in God). Some people place their faith in the stock market. These folks orient their minds, bodies, and souls to the task of making money, believing that money will ultimately save them. Other folks place their faith in their families, orienting their minds, bodies, hearts, and souls to a core group of parents and children. But the stock market fluctuates, our children disappoint us, our spouses die, and people continue to suffer and despair. Our only hope for uniting humanity, relieving suffering, and providing an environment where abundant life is possible, is through faith in God. When the human race orients its heart, mind, body, and soul in the God of love, then the Kingdom of God will be realized in all its glory.
Today, on this feastday of Pentecost, we are about the business of baptizing 4 people who are about to make a commitment of faith. Lin, Kai-Rey, Pei-Ling, and Brianna will promise to orient their mind, body, heart, and soul in God. They will promise to walk the path of compassion that Jesus laid out and whenever they stray off that path, they will ask for the power of the Holy Spirit to guide them back into all truth and love. We are setting them apart today, and will anoint them as Christ's own forever. This means that they are committed to dying to their false self, allowing the Holy Spirit to recreate them into the image of Christ. But because they have been wounded like the rest of us, from time to time, they will make unconscious, alienating decisions that will take them off the path. But that will not be the end of the story. Through the power of the Holy Spirit in Baptism, repentance and forgiveness will return them to the path of love.
The Holy Spirit is working within each one of us if we permit it. This is the breath of God that gives life and vitality and makes us fully human. My prayer is, that you will allow this Spirit of God to strengthen and sanctify you. Let the Holy Spirit help you discern your special gifts and then go out into the world and share these gifts for the common good. "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit." [BCP 102] Come Holy Spirit, Come!
| Updated 6/19/03 |
|