 On Sunday we celebrated Pentecost Sunday. It might be the most misunderstood day in the Christian communion. Pentecost is the Greek name for the Jewish Feast of Weeks, 50 days after Passover. The earliest Christians adapted Jewish traditions, so Passover became Easter and The Feast of Weeks became Pentecost.
Pentecost marks the coming of the Holy Spirit to Jesus' disciples after his death and resurrection as recorded in Acts 2: 2 - 4. Kathleen Norris says "the miracle of this event is that it drew people from all parts of the known world -- Egypt, Galilee, Cappadocia, Asia -- and while each person spoke in their native tongue, they understood each other."
The miracle is not in the speaking, it is in the understanding.
Peter preached his famous sermon using the prophet Joel to explain this unusual experience and Luke records that about 3.000 persons welcomed his message and were baptized. What followed? Acts 2:44 -45 tells us: "All who believed were together and had all things in common: they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need." These early Christians could well be considered the first socialists, but that's another conversation. The point is, they shared of their bounty with each other and all those in need.
They created community: "Day by day they were together in temple, or in homes breaking bread together with glad and generous hearts." (verse 46) They created good will among others and drew followers to their beloved community. (verse 47).It seems that their ability to create community, to have compassion and generosity, and to inspire others was because of this miracle of understanding. They understood each other and those around them. Understanding led to compassion, generosity and good will.
I have to be honest. I have often distrusted Pentecost because it seemed self-serving. I thought Pentecost meant two classes of Christians: those who got special gifts and spoke in tongues, and those who of us who didn't. Pentecost brought division, not unity. I had it all wrong. Pentecost is to create understanding and nurture spirits of compassion and generosity in all of us.
Looking at Pentecost through the lens that Kathleen Norris offered, "the miracle is not in the speaking, it is in the understanding," Luke 2 and the early church makes sense and seems possible for the Church now.
The Presbyterian Church (USA) will be meeting July 3 - 10 in Minneapolis. It just could be Pentecost. We will be gathering from all 50 states with advisory delegates from all corners of our planet. More Light Presbyterians are praying for the miracle of understanding among all who will be gathered together by God's Spirit in Minneapolis.
I believe Pentecost is possible in Minneapolis if we are willing to be open and receive the gift of understanding. Like those early Christians described in Luke 2, we could become a church known for its compassion, generosity and glad hearts. The early followers created a church of the heart.
What is the language of the heart if not compassion, empathy, grace and love? It is certainly not prejudice, judgment and self-righteousness.
Imagine if we became a church of the heart, rather than the church of polity, doctrinal statements or litmus tests for correct belief and practice? As Presbyterians, we do not have to be like we have been for the last 218 years. We can learn to trust God, to trust God's work in each others' lives, to trust each other to work out our salvation, calls to ministry, discipleship and intimate lives.
We could become the Church of the heart. On this Pentecost Sunday, I believe anything is possible.
with hope and grace,
Michael |
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