Sermon: Pentecost, 5/19/2024, Confirmation

Texts: Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:22-27, John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15
Grace, Peace, and Mercy from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Having grown up alongside many Pentecostal Christians in Puerto Rico, the name of the feast day of Pentecost carries much more for me than just the event we celebrate today. I’ve always said, my inner voice sometimes sounds like a Baptist preacher with Pentecostal flairs, that was the environment in which I was raised. For many, Pentecostals are often known as the charismatics, often loud and overly energetic, speaking in tongues and “being slain in the spirit”, and I’ve had my share of experiences witnessing these acts. This form of devotion might not be our jam, but there are somethings I appreciate from these siblings in Christ. The exuberant joy and enthusiasm of letting God have His way. The openness of trusting God do the work He promises to do in our lives. Lastly, one crucial feature, prayer, prayer, and prayer; there are those altar calls which I confess, I dread, but there is something meaningful of having somebody hug you or put their hands on your shoulder and pray for your problems. Us Lutherans can actually, in some ways, learn this from Pentecostals: all Christians are called to a renewed, vibrant, joyful, and prayerful life together as the community of people sent out by the power of the Holy Spirit to proclaim the Gospel to all Creation. Being Christian, and being the church for that matter, is to be Pentecostal in the sense of being energized by the fiery Spirit that the disciples experienced all those many years ago. That means that church is not meant to be dreadful, but expectant, full of yearning and hope for God’s renewal and restoration of all things, as Paul says in his letter to the Romans: “We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies”. The shackles of fear, sin and oppression are broken apart, leading to the liberation and freedom of being God’s beloved children. There’s a passionate flame in the heart of Christian life that does not conform itself to the rigidity of the powers of this world. It can’t contain itself within those structures, it seeks to be broken free by Jesus to live for God’s Kingdom. The church is no status quo reality, it is God’s way of showing the world, there is another way of living, there is another way in which life abundant is possible, there is another way that does not end in death and oppression, but in love, justice and truth. The Spirit calls the church forth to experience anew this alternative way that God in Jesus Christ opened up. A way that is not enclosed in human categories, enclosed in favor of a privileged few. In the way of Jesus, the church was sent out to proclaim the gospel, meaning that liberation was meant to be shared among all the peoples, to be lived out in love with all. When the Spirit moves, we should expect to be moved wherever it leads. In the end, it’s ultimate destination is towards perfect love; as the Church Father St. Basil of Caesarea said of living in this spirit of Pentecost: “It moves us to dance with the angels.”

The Holy Spirit received at Pentecost witnesses to us the power of the resurrection in our midst. As the disciples are empowered to preach and live out the Gospel, we receive the same gift. To live out this gift however entails to be challenged. We struggle not only with ourselves, but with the world and all the things that want to take us out from the path of the Spirit. Jesus says as much when He says: “when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment” The Spirit will prove the world wrong. The rulers of this world shall be overcome. The cross is not the end. The world seeks to condemn, to take down, to marginalize. But the spirit builds up. Where the world says hate, the Spirit says Love, where the world says punish, the Spirit forgives. When the world says: not them, the Spirit says yes, them. The Holy Spirit that descended on Pentecost is a radical agent, it revolutionizes us to live out the life of Jesus in our communities. We might be individually weak, but together with the Spirit, we are given the new life of the resurrection. Because of the Spirit, you will feel the need to love like Jesus loves, to feel compassion how He felt compassion, to speak Truth to power, the way He did so.

In keeping with this barrier-braking movement of Pentecost, that seeks to be shared everywhere it goes, did you know there exists a Lutheran World Federation, with over 70 million Lutherans world-wide? You are part of 70 million Christians witnessing to Jesus Christ in the Lutheran expression of the Body of Christ. And therefore, this Pentecost 2024, my mind often went to our Lutheran siblings in Palestine, how they are celebrating Pentecost in the midst of this war. The Lutheran World Federation has been giving updates about support given to the Palestinian churches, mostly located in the West Bank, not in Gaza, but because of the destruction in Gaza, they have lost most of their income and avenues to pay their workers and institutions. Currently they rely on support from LWF members. One would think, how does the church survive the destruction of normalcy? And yet, our Palestinian siblings are still congregating. The Spirit continues to move, and they are celebrating or would be celebrating Pentecost just like us this Sunday. The Spirit continues to gather them, to give witness to the life of resurrection hope in the midst of death. I read an article about a Lutheran Church in Ramallah, named Church of Hope. The war has caused a lot of distress to the community. I was moved by the gesture of the pastor, Rev. Rodny Said, recorded in this article. He talked about the importance of small acts that bring happiness, at least for a few days. They gave crosses and chocolates, alongside Christmas gifts bought with support from the LWF to the youth as gifts for a Christmas that was not celebrated due to the war. According to Rev. Said, the crosses they were given, were not merely for show, I quote Rev. Said: “The cross was for them to wear and remind them that they are not alone. That through the cross they are stronger”. Two essentials reminders for the Spirit-led church: They are not alone, there is a community of saints gathered by the Spirit looking to help and stand alongside them. And through the cross, they are stronger. Only through the Holy Spirit can we comprehend this reality of the cross. The world seeks to crucify and exert power, but they have been overcome by the love and grace of God in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The flame of Pentecost continues to inspire voices for peace, justice and hope, in the form of faithful Christian witness in the face of death. Jesus is still walking in Palestine, gathering people to His always new way of true life. Through Jesus, siblings far away, are close to our hearts in prayer.

And Jesus is also here with us, beloved church. The Spirit moves His life among us, and moves us to passionate lives that praise God with faith, love and hope. As a pastor, I get to see how our life together brings new life not only to all of redeemed sinners gathered here, but in our community. And today, especially, we have the joy of celebrating the Spirit moving in the lives of our three confirmands. I want to speak a few words to our sisters here. I’ve had the blessing of meeting Erin, Thea, and Allison for the little time that I’ve been here. Each one of them with gifts and talents that would enrich any community they belong to; we are blessed to have them here with us. So, my dear confirmands, this moment is not the end of your faith journey, but the beginning of it. And life is never this linear progression, but more like a zig zag pattern, there are ups and downs, joys and sorrows, and I want you to have this piece of knowledge wherever you go, if there is something you should remember about affirming your baptism it is this: You are the beloved of God. In the world, you will be faced with many challenges, and it will try to take away from you the reality that you belong to God. When this is challenged, you might feel vulnerable, weak, or perhaps despairing. But remember these words of Paul: “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.” The same spirit that we celebrate today, which empowers us, empowers you. It will accompany you throughout those hard moments. It will show you, as we have taught, where to find forgiveness, where to renew your life, to whom you can unburden your heart to, and finally to whom you belong. When you can’t even pray, the Spirit prays for you, and even inspires others to pray for you, to sustain you. That is why during camp we emphasized prayer. In praying you connect to the God that says to you: You are my beloved. And of course, these responsibilities you will affirm are because in the same way this community has done its calling of instructing and showing you about this Christian life, it will be your calling as well, to let others know of their belovedness, to live in such a way that shows to those around you, and yes even all of Creation, the care and love of God. That is what we have been preparing you for. And the Spirit will guide you, as it guides each and every one of us, to perfect our love always. As we are all moved by the Holy Spirit to live out this adventurous life of the Gospel, let us pray:

God the Holy Spirit, move us towards Jesus’ love. Renew our lives with your great mercy, show us the path forward, give us opportunities of showing your grace to others. Remind us that we are beloved, that you care for us and seek us wherever we go. Holy Spirit, make us passionate to do your will. Light a fire in our spirits, that we may go forth in sure confidence of your saving power. That we may act in such a way that is pleasing to you. Make us into the little Christs we were called to be, breaking every wall that prevents people from knowing their belovedness. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray, Amen.