Sunday, June 8, 2014 - PENTECOST

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Acts 2:1-21

 “…in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.”

Today is an important celebration in the life of the Christian community. As Jesus promised his followers, he gave them the power of God’s Spirit, the Spirit of Love, the very same power that had animated him throughout his ministry.  As a sign of Love’s creativity and universal extent, Jesus’ followers apparently spoke in languages they had never learned in order to communicate God’s good news to all the foreign travelers gathered in Jerusalem.

            My mind runs to all the ways the power of Pentecost is still with us. I am inspired by stories of those who make a deep connection even though they speak very different languages. Professor John McKnight, who has spear-headed work in inclusive communities, tells one such story (I am relaying the story from memory, so I trust I get the spirit, if not the details, of the story right).  McKnight teaches that every single community member has a gift to share with the group. That gift just needs to be discovered. After hearing McKnight give a public lecture, Michael, a journalist in a West Coast town, was inspired to befriend a man with a disability living in a nursing home. Robert did not communicate verbally and Michael discovered that he spent most of his day in bed watching television. At first, Michael and Robert struggled to connect, but over time Michael noticed that Robert responded whenever classical music played on the TV. Michael started bringing in classical CDs and each time Robert’s face brightened and his body arched with excitement.

            For their weekly visits, Robert and Michael began attending rehearsals of the local symphony orchestra. Robert’s rapt attention at each practice sent a wave of energy through the musicians. “We play better when Robert is here,” the orchestra members agreed. At the end of the season, Michael convinced the conductor to let Robert have a go at the baton. Before the final piece, Robert, clad in a black tuxedo, took his place in front of the orchestra. From his wheelchair, a beaming Robert directed the musicians with gusto and the audience jumped to its feet for a standing ovation.

            Robert’s performance transfixed the audience and slowly began transforming the town. Others were inspired to reach out to their neighbors and welcome those whose gifts are often hidden from view.

            How can we re-enact Pentecost this year? How can we let God’s Spirit of Love empower us to speak the languages of those in our neighborhoods? How can we see God’s deeds of power when we give good news to those who need it most? 

- David Shumaker