Pentecost and Protest

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.              Acts 2:1-4

I have to admit. I am always disoriented when a dove is used at Pentecost. Yes, I know it is a symbol of the Holy Spirit and yes, I know the Holy Spirit appeared as a dove at Jesus’ baptism. But, I have always imagined the baptism experience of the Holy Spirit as a calming peaceful event. After all, we use the dove as a symbol of peace as well.

The arrival of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, however, was a different kind of experience entirely.  A violent wind and tongues, like flames of fire. Not at all calm and peaceful. After all, the Spirit was giving birth to the church and bringing with it, power - the power to speak to all people. The power of love and transformation.

Pentecost weekend has brought winds and flame in multiple cities across the nation as peaceful protests over the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor erupted into attacks, looting and destruction. Although I do not condone the violence and destruction, I have had this sense throughout all of this that the Holy Spirit is trying to bring the power of change; to break the chains of racism and hate; to dismantle the systems that value some lives more than others. I wonder, did the dove of peaceful protest give way to the violent wind and flame of a passionate Spirit demanding to be heard?

Rest, Heal, then Serve.

Now Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

Mark 1: 30-31

Here I sit; cuddled up in my recliner, wrapped in a blanket, still fighting off whatever virus/infection has hit me. We are in the midst of a severe flu outbreak, so I am grateful for the negative flu test. But I am home sick, as are so many others. As I come across this section of today’s lectionary text, I am struck by two things.

1. Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed, sick. Plastered all over the news and social media are the warnings:  IF YOU ARE SICK STAY HOME! The motivation is two-fold. First, if you are out in public while you are sick, you are spreading the illness further. Every cough, sneeze, or physical contact provides a chance for someone else to succumb to whatever virus or infection has attacked your body. Secondly, your body needs rest in order to heal. God wove rest into the very fabric of creation by providing for the Sabbath. After creating the world and all that is in it, the Almighty God rested, and mandated that we, as well, should rest from our labors. In this current world of busy-ness, we seldom take the time to truly rest. Even when ill, we continue to scurry, our bodies and souls stressed and preventing true healing. Simon’s mother-in-law was doing as she should when sick. She was resting in bed and allowing others to care for her.
2. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.  After Jesus healed her, she got to work. They had been taking care of her. Now it was her turn to take care of them. We are called to take care of others, to serve. Once we have rested, it is time to get to work. 

I stayed home from church today; something that rarely happens. I am resting my body, hoping to recover from this flu-type bug so I can get to work tomorrow. I am resting in my ministry as well. For years I have worked diligently in ministering to children and youth, either as a non-paid church servant, or on church staff. Having just completed my course work for a Master of Arts in Practical Theology and not currently serving in any paid or non-paid ministry position, I am resting - waiting for guidance on the next course of action. Where am I to use this call you have placed upon my life?  Where am I to serve?

Here I am, Lord. I have heard you calling. I will go, Lord, if you lead me. Please lead me.

Wrestling With God

 Jacob got up during the night, took his two wives, his two women servants, and his eleven sons, and crossed the Jabbok River’s shallow water.  He took them and everything that belonged to him, and he helped them cross the river.  But Jacob stayed apart by himself, and a man wrestled with him until dawn broke.  When the man saw that he couldn’t defeat Jacob, he grabbed Jacob’s thigh and tore a muscle in Jacob’s thigh as he wrestled with him. The man said, “Let me go because the dawn is breaking.”

But Jacob said, “I won’t let you go until you bless me.”

 He said to Jacob, “What’s your name?” and he said, “Jacob.” Then he said, “Your name won’t be Jacob any longer, but Israel, because you struggled with God and with men and won.”

 Jacob also asked and said, “Tell me your name.”

But he said, “Why do you ask for my name?” and he blessed Jacob there.  Jacob named the place Peniel,“because I’ve seen God face-to-face, and my life has been saved.” The sun rose as Jacob passed Penuel, limping because of his thigh. Therefore, Israelites don’t eat the tendon attached to the thigh muscle to this day, because he grabbed Jacob’s thigh muscle at the tendon.

Genesis 32: 22-32 (CEB)

A wrestling match in the middle of the night with an unknown man; arms and legs flying, grasping, clutching; resulting in an injury, a new name and a blessing. Have you ever wrestled with God as Jacob did?  Have you tossed and turned in the wee hours struggling with a word heard from God - a word heard from a teacher or preacher, or a word read in scripture?

I believe we are meant to wrestle with the word. In struggling with our preconceived notions or with what we have previously believed or been taught, we bring our newest selves to the word and meet God face to face. Often our wrestling match results in a change in ourselves, and always results in a blessing.

But what happens when we, as teachers of the word, present our newfound discoveries to our students as The Answer? Are we not denying our students the opportunity to wrestle with the word themselves? And, in so doing, are we denying them the opportunity for change and for a blessing? 

Confessional Prayer

Prayer of Confession:

O LORD, Creator of the world and all that is in it,

You lovingly made us in your image and provided a home for us.

And yet, we have neglected to care for all you have given us.

Through greed we have laid waste to the landscape.

Through pride we have laid waste to relationships.

O LORD, Creator of the world and all that is in it,

Forgive us our pride, our greed, our neglect of your gifts,

That we may be good stewards of your world and your people

And that all creation may delight in your kingdom.

A Psalm

After exploring many names for God, our Writing Workshop class was challenged to write a psalm based on a theme found in our list.  This is mine:

O LORD, Creator and Creation,
    Sun, Moon and Stars,
         Living Water, River of Life
We dwell in you and in your world,
thirsting for the Life that only you can give.

Lead us, guide us to the thirst quenching water of your word.
Bring us through the day and through the night
to the place that you would have us go.

You, Giver of Rainbows, 
    have promised to be with us always.
But we, scrambling around in our day to day lives,
    forget your promises.
We forget to look aloft at the rainbows you send us
    as reminder of your promise.

Whisper to us, O LORD,
    Shout, if need be.
Remind us of your love;
    of your promises.
Take us to your life-giving waters
    and restore us.

Luke 4:16-30

Yesterday I attended a Summit Meeting at my home church and, once again, was reminded that, for whatever reason, I am not able to fulfill my call in this place that is so much a part of who I am -- this place, these people who loved me into being. It was here that I discovered my call; here that I became the me that God has called me to be.

I yearn to do my work here, to love these kids into being as I was loved into being in this place. Yet, I must pass my way through the midst of them and be on my way. It’s not so easy for me to do.  Was it this hard for Jesus?

Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.

1 Samuel 3: 1-10

"Speak. Lord, your servant is listening."

A young boy hears a voice and repeatedly goes to his mentor, the priest Eli. I didn't call you, son. Go back to bed. Finally the priest realizes what is happening and instructs the boy to answer God the next time he is called. Speak, Lord, your servant is listening. 

How do I know when you are speaking, Lord?