Hail Thee Festival Day

Pentecost

Hail thee Festival Day! Happy Mothers Day as well to all you mothers and to all the sons and daughters of mothers… Indeed, a blessed Pentecost to all of you! On this day we will baptize Madison.  Later two ministries will be featured, but on this day of Pentecost I especially want to give thanks for all of you who have ministered in the  ministries of our parish.  In a way, Pentecost is a day when many aspects of our faith come together.  Hail thee Festival Day!

I don’t think, however, that the witnesses of that first Pentecost thought things were coming together. After all, a rush of violent wind, tongues of fire, and some really weird stuff happening sounds disruptive at best.  Witnesses were amazed, astonished, perplexed, bewildered…some even thought the disciples were drunk.  It doesn’t sound like a description of things coming together. 

Because I am committed to the beloved community of Jesus Christ, what draws my attention today and everyday is the unifying message to God’s holy people.  Even if the disciples might not have felt like things were coming together…they were all together in one place.  That was the invitation Jesus had made to them…stay together…I will send the Holy Spirit to you (that’s plural as in, I will send the Holy Spirit to all y’all)….wait together.  And so that is what good disciples of Jesus Christ do…they stay together… because they love one another and they love God.  And when communities of people love one another and love God, there is no telling what will happen.

Whooosh came the violent wind, tongues of fire all about them and on the heads of each.  They spoke in foreign languages.  Everyone understood because they also heard in their own languages.  It was awesome! But “What does this mean?” they asked.

I have two critical responses to that important question that I would like you to remember…after we reassure ourselves that they were not drunk, of course.  The first  has to do with fulfillment.  I believe that the disciples were just like you and me…having experienced the ups and downs of everyday life and especially the loss of their friend and leader, they wanted and needed to have the loose ends of their lives pulled together and some direction provided. God the Holy Spirit entered the scene spectacularly and over 2000 years later we are still celebrating the gift. They were filled and fulfilled. Only God can fill that God-shaped hole in our hearts.  Hail thee Festival Day!  Let us not forget they were together when it was given and received.

The second point is related to mission and ministry:  Each and every one of us has gifts that have been given to us.  Maybe it’s the gift of wisdom, the spirit of knowledge, the gift of leadership, organization, discernment, or the ability to create and appreciate beauty.  Others have the gift of listening, or hospitality, or humor...some may possess the gift of tenderness...a necessary gift for the healing the broken soul...I mean it seems that there is no limit to the gifts that the people of St. Martin’s possess.  But why?  How do people of faith understand their gifts from the Holy Spirit? I’m clear it’s not about you or me...it’s not even about us.  The violent rush of wind to move us forward...the tongues of fire to ignite our heart were given for our Holy Work…the work of God.  We are all gifted and called to do the very work Jesus Christ set out to do. 

This became clear to me when I went to work at Wesley Woods Budd Terrace…a Methodist founded nursing home, now a part of Emory.  At the time I had no inkling that I would be standing before you today…a priest.  But then I was very interested in what motivated a handful of nurses and nursing assistants…what them to do and say the right and loving thing every day, day after day with little thanks from the residents, their families, and minimal wage reward.  I began to ask questions, I began to hear a pattern in their answers…it was about faith.  They were not motivated by praise although they welcomed affirmation.  They were not motivated by money, although they welcomed a raise or bonus. They were not motivated by promotion or power, although they appreciated recognition from their leaders. They simply used their gifts of patience, caring, and service to continue the healing works of Jesus Christ. 

From the First Letter of Peter in a reading designated for the eve of Pentecost, it was written:  “...You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”  Hail thee festival day!

What are your holy gifts? Remember to give thanks for them today, and ask for the grace to use them in this beloved community to carry on the work Jesus Christ set out to do.  And to God be the glory! Amen.

Mother Mary Erickson