SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER – 13 May 2007

ST PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH, ABQ NM – the Rev. P. L. Holman

Acts 16:9-15; Psalm 67; Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5; John 14:23-29

Be That Peace

It is an amazing thing to see – a man become father or a woman mother, partners welcome children and teachers care as though for their own.  The miracle of a child is wonder enough; then to see the joy of a people celebrating their lives and their accomplishments, welcoming them, investing hope, shuffling priorities, pouring out love.  The presence of children is powerful affirmation that God indeed intends the world to have a future.  And Christ is God’s affirmation that the world’s future will unfold in Peace.

Paul had a vision – it directed him to take his missionary activity to an entirely new continent.  Crossing over into Macedonia he encountered unfamiliar cultures and traditions, and also the familiar welcome of the faithful.  Lydia’s hospitality was not merely a statement about her personally; it was a glimpse of the community of God.

The Psalmist envisions a people filled with joy, grateful for the abundant harvest God has provided.  It’s a testimony to all the nations around: O God let all the peoples praise you!

The vision given to John recorded in the book of Revelation gave hope to a people struggling to make sense of the chaos of their lives.  John’s vision is that of a new garden of paradise right in the middle of a city, Eden now in a city setting where a tree grows on either side of the river – who knows how – whose fruit is abundant and whose leaves are for the healing of the nations.  Healing like release, reconciling like forgiveness, paving the path to Peace – ah, these leaves.

All these images set the stage for Jesus words to his faithful followers as he prepares to ascend into heaven.  “I will not leave you orphaned…they who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me…and I will love them and reveal myself to them.”  But, Lord, how will you reveal yourself just to the followers and not also to the world? The Advocate will teach you, Jesus says. The Holy Spirit -- it’s all about the Spirit.

One of the most energizing conversations I am privileged to engage in during my work as pastor is the conversation about “spirit.”  For some folks the concept of a “Spirit” abiding in them is comforting.  In my conversations with Rich and Jennie, separated from this their faith community by a thousand miles during Rich’s healing journey, the power of the Spirit is a palpable presence in their daily routine.  Your prayers, your cards and emails, all affirm that Presence for them. The folks in New Orleans and nearby areas devastated by hurricane Katrina KNOW that Spirit – they SEE it in the groups of folks who continue to come to clear out debris and rebuild their communities.

 For others new to this Spirit talk it’s a bit less comforting.  More like “too religious.”  Turning to secular terms like coincidence helps there.  Most folks know about coincidence, like when you’re ready to call someone on the phone and he shows up at the door.  Coincidence, okay – and “coincidence” is God acting anonymously.  It’s a spirit thing.

Today we Baptize Madison Nicole Sussman and pray the seven fold gifts of the Spirit on her.  She’s only three months old, what difference can that make? A world of difference, as her parents, sponsors and this faith community affirm the power of the Spirit for Madison’s life and reaffirm it for one another.  The Advocate abides in us, and empowers us to abide in God’s love.  That abiding according to author Barbara Brown Taylor is like “becoming a part of a large extended family, and a holy one at that. When God and Jesus move in with us, apparently, they make lots of keys – keys for the Holy Spirit, keys for the other disciples, keys for all sorts of indwelling cousins in Christ. Coming and going we learn to recognize each other and to call upon each other for everything people who live together do” [as quoted in W. Stephens, “Finding Tomorrow Today” in DAY ONE for 5/13/07]. 

Love is alive in this community of believers; and every time we share that love we offer a glimpse of the joy that is God with us; we are a glimpse of the Presence here and now.  Someone sent me an email containing responses by children aged 4-8 to the question, “What does love mean?”  I thought it might be fun on this Mother’s day to hear what children have to say.

• When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn’t bend over to paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too.  That’s love.
• When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.
• Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.
• Love is what makes you smile when you’re tired.
• I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones.
• If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend you hate.
• A 4 year old boy saw his recently widowed neighbor sitting on the back porch crying, so he went into the neighbor’s yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his mother asked what he had said to neighbor, the boy replied: “Nothing. I just helped him cry.”
• If you love someone tell them.  People forget.

Love shared offers a glimpse of the Presence, of Christ with us. In sharing love – especially with those we don’t love – we find the pathway to Peace.

It is no little thing that the one gift Jesus offered his followers after telling them that the Advocate would be coming, the “life coach” who would remind them of the Good Life teachings – it is no small thing that the one gift Jesus leaves with his followers before ascending from earth is Peace. We share this Peace in worship every week.  Sometimes it seems there are things to do beside share Peace – a question that can’t wait or an introduction that must be made.  Yet the purpose of this time takes us much deeper than that.  No matter the season it takes us back to Easter; it is an exercise of Easter faith this handshake or hug, this holy kiss, an affirmation of our trust in the possibility of peace, in the power of peace assured by Christ’s presence, the power to bridge whatever fears or troubled waters may arise.

This ritual sharing of Peace is both a future hope and affirmation that even now peace is possible.  Martin Luther King, Jr., once said: “Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.” Holocaust survivor and author Elie Wiesel put it simply: “Peace is our gift to each other.” 

Whatever our lot or station in life, Peace is a gift we can give to one another, a gift we can give because it was first given us.  Indeed, it is not a season. It is a way of life. Peace is the Jesus promise, and the Jesus way.  As we share it here, and practice it daily in our relationships and as we make life’s choices, we begin to shape communities with voices that are beginning to change the world.  That’s the vision. You have the power.  Be that Peace.