Pentecost – Word and Power
Have you ever experienced the supernatural? Something you cannot deny, and cannot explain? Something that challenges what you know about the world?
That is very much what happened on Pentecost.
It is nine in the morning on the Feast of Pentecost. Pentecost is the feast of the harvest and the feast at which the Jewish people renew their acceptance of the gift of the Torah, the word of God. People have come to Jerusalem from all over to present gifts from their first harvest of the summer wheat, and to feast. The gentiles are going about their business, but it is a day of sacred rest for the Jews. The Jews are perhaps just waking up from a little nap, or feeling a little sleepy because they stayed up all night last night reading the book of Ruth.
The disciples are gathered together. They just completed nine days of prayer, a novena, and have begun to celebrate the feast, but they do not know what to expect.
Suddenly there is the sound like a strong wind coming from the sky. Not the sound of a breeze – the sound of a strong wind. A sound so loud that it is heard by people all around the neighborhood. A sound so loud that everyone stops what they are doing to look. A sound so loud that a large crowd rushes over to the house.
What could it be? Did the roof fall in? Did a tower collapse? Was there a sudden explosion of fire? Did you hear it? It was so loud!
Can you imagine?
Then these Galileans come out of the house, and start talking. What’s more, they are not just talking – they are understandable to people who speak different languages, and they are all speaking about the mighty acts of God.
Sometimes we listen to the scriptures, but we don’t really listen to the scriptures. This is not the tale of who was the father of whom, or who was appointed commander of thousands. This is the story of a day when something amazing happened.
The feast of Pentecost is a day the Jews renew their promise to accept the Torah, which is the law and word of God. It is a beautiful time for us, also, to renew our commitment to listen to and to read the word of God. Not just to let the words go by, but to engage with the scriptures, and to let ourselves be amazed by what we read and hear about the mighty works of God. The scriptures should amaze us, and challenge what we know about the world.
Pentecost is also a time to discuss supernatural spiritual gifts.
Our portion from Saint Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians begins with the statement that “No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit.” This is only part of the sentence. Paul is responding to a list of questions sent to him by the church at Corinth. He says:
Now in regard to spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be unaware. You know how, when you were pagans, you were constantly attracted and led away to mute idols. Therefore, I tell you that nobody speaking by the spirit of God says, “Jesus be accursed.” And no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
It is easy to be amazed and confused by spiritual gifts and supernatural events. Many of us have had experiences we cannot explain, or know people who claim to have experienced something supernatural. It is sometimes difficult to know what to think about these things. Some of these things are fake, but some of them are real. Of those things that are real, some are a gift from God, and some are the work of our enemy.
Saint Paul reminds the Corinthians that it was easy for them to get attracted to statues that couldn’t move and speak. Imagine how much easier it would be to be attracted by supernatural events. And he provides them with a sure way to tell if something is of God, or of the enemy: No one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
The purpose of the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit is the same today as it was on the day of Pentecost. It is to proclaim the truth that Jesus is Lord.
The Spirit guides us to all truth, and glorifies Jesus by enlightening our minds to understand the truth of God. And what is that truth? The truth is that God wishes for us to have peace. The truth is that forgiveness of sins is possible through Jesus Christ and the ministry of his disciples. The truth is that God desires that we have a fire of love kindled in our hearts. The truth is Jesus Christ.
Then, the power of the Holy Spirit is given to us so that we can share that truth with others. Like the gift of tongues that the disciples received, God will give us whatever we need to proclaim the mighty acts of God to others in a way they can understand.
Today, I encourage you to be more amazed by the word of God, the scriptures. I encourage you to be more amazed by the Word (with a capital W) of God, Jesus Christ. I encourage you to allow the Holy Spirit to guide you to the truth, and to enlighten your mind so that you can see and love and glorify our God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I encourage you to accept the gifts God offers that provide the ability, opportunity, and courage to proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord.
