The Day of Pentecost – 04 June 2006
St Paul Lutheran Church, ABQ NM – The Rev. P. L. Holman
Acts 2:1-21; Romans 8:22-27; John 15:26-27, 16:4b-15
Take a Deep Breath!
You could almost hear the sound of that mighty wind filling this place when the first reading for Pentecost began today – four different languages overlapping one another, building in intensity suddenly resolving into the clarity of the English used in the rest of our worship. What a glorious and powerful reminder of the mystery of our God! It is good to take the time to breathe deeply this Spirit’s power – to take a deep breath and be filled with this Spirit….
I imagine that’s what those early disciples sorely needed in the aftermath of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Time to take a deep breath. For fifty days they were immersed in the chaos of continuing to proclaim the word of God’s new creation in the midst of tradition and the status quo. They had to act like they really knew what they were about when in their hearts, still grieving and reeling from the events of the first Holy Week, at times they weren’t so sure. I imagine that shallow breathing and tensed muscles had replaced the confident postures they had as they walked beside Jesus. Now they were on their own. There were few role models to take the lead from, few established traditions to draw strength from as they sought to faithfully be the people they were called and sent to be. Today’s reading from Acts centers their work in the heart of the Spirit’s power: a sound like the rush of violent winds filled the house where they were sitting, flames and tongues as of fire resting on each of them, each of them speaking other languages yet understanding abounds. It is nothing less than mystery and miraculous power that makes such knowing possible, that gives peace in chaotic times. This is Spirit breath they were given to breathe, this powerful wind that overtook everyone. It was as though Christ had returned to fill them with the power they needed to carry on, the Spirit becoming life-breath for the church now the body of Christ in the world. Here was strength for the journey.
The disciples in the first century of the church’s life needed that power, that strength. We need it too. Christ is here – take a deep breath.
In a recent press release Ralston Deffenbaugh, president of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, articulated the church agency’s response to the Senate resolution on immigration policy. He began by commending President Bush and the US Senate for “fundamentally shifting the nature of the immigration debate toward a comprehensive approach to immigration reform.” Yet there are aspects of the bill that contradict core principles of LIRS: the complex criteria for earned legalization, the emphasis on detention and diminishment of checks and balances of judicial review over immigration decisions. Creating and reinforcing a climate of fear can only make matters worse, LIRS has seen this happen time and again when those fleeing from persecution in their home countries are held in custody. He concludes his analysis of the current proposal with these words: “We hope that our elected officials work together to create an immigration system that will eradicate the current climate of fear and confusion and create incentives for immigrants to come out of the shadows. Most importantly, we pray for one that recognizes and preserves the human rights that spring from our God-given dignity.” Immigration reform is a complex issue, with many different paths to a just and humane result. These are real people we’re talking about, people created in the image of God. Take a deep breath.
Traveling to the Midwest for our daughter’s wedding last week we were reminded of the fear of terrorism that overshadows our lives these days. Phil forgot about the Swiss army knife in his chair pack, a gift from someone a week earlier. TSA didn’t – they spent 25 minutes searching every little pocket and x-raying every little gadget bag until they finally found what they had seen on the screen. One more trip to baggage check-in, a cardboard box and some packing tape, and we were once again on our way. Since 9/11/2001 we’ve been through various shades of security alerts, almost becoming accustomed to if not also put off by such searches, then suddenly Canadian authorities thwart a terrorist attack, 17 are arrested, and once again the inconvenience doesn’t seem quite so irritating. Take a deep breath.
When I began presiding at weddings some twenty years ago I didn’t give a second thought to coaching the bride and groom about breathing. Having been through Lamaze classes for prepared childbirth I knew all those relaxation techniques related to breathing. But these were church services, not childbirth. It was my first wedding, the second marriage for both bride and groom, and their children were attendants. It all seemed straightforward. And it was, until the anxiety of being in front of all those people got to the teen-aged best man; he apparently forgot to breathe. Down he went, his head barely missing the wood and iron altar rail.
Breathe deep – that’s what I always tell brides, grooms and their attendants now, take a deep breath before and during the ceremony – wiggle your toes and breathe deep. It’s not bad advice as we embark on any covenanted relationship, whether marriage or home ownership or church partnership – breathe deeply of the Spirit’s presence and know God’s strength for the journey. The people of Congregation Nahalat Shalom did last night at the installation of their new Rabbi, Deborah Brin. The congregation had been isolated from the rest of the Jewish community under former rabbinic leadership. So it was quite the historic moment as members of other Jewsih communities in ABQ came together at Nahalat Shalom, to speak and sing and bless and dance. Toward the end of the Celebratory Program Rabbi Gold led us in a ritual of Invitation and Acceptance. We moved forward making a circle around Reb Brin, and while half the group chanted in Hebrew from the sacred texts “You shall be Holy, for I am Holy” the other half chanted, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The ritual began and ended with a time of silent, deep breathing to focus our thoughts and prayers, a time to deeply breathe in the Divine presence in our midst. What a powerful moment for everyone there, Jewish and non-Jewish alike. It was a tangible way we could enact the blessing of the moment – suspended between the weight of a burdened past and the challenge of healing and newness resting in the hope of all the tomorrows this Rabbi and congregation will share. It was a very good time to take a deep breath.
This is a very good time to take a deep breath. Breathe deeply the presence of God as we worship this Pentecost day. You can hear God’s presence in silence and in song; you can see it on the faces of those around you. Breathe deeply the Spirit’s power this day, every day you’re given to live, and draw strength for the journey of making Christ known.
v Strength to see Christ in the hurting, and offer a hand.
v Strength to hear Christ in the voiceless, and lend your words.
v Strength to name the ills in our economic and social policies, and lend your heart and soul to following the path of righteousness that God desires, the path Christ has set before us.
Take a deep breath, and invite the Spirit to lead you into God’s truth.
“Come Holy Spirit, come.”