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Pentecost Sunday, Year A
South Sydney Uniting Church
June 4, 2017
Ephesians 1:15-23; Matthew 28:16-20
‘Mark of the Holy Spirit’
Have you heard that Jesus is called the Word of God? Now, if we had to say which word this refers to we would say Love. We might also remember the words spoken by Jesus, colourful and creative words, sayings and parables, blessings and prayers. And the one commandment of Jesus, that we should “love one another”. So, let’s say these words together: God is Love; Love one another.
Serious and wonderful words.
What happens, though, if we write them like this: God is Love! Love one another! ... do you know what this mark (!) is called? ... How should we read the words now? ...
If Jesus is the Word of God, then the Holy Spirit is the Exclamation Mark! And wherever we see an exclamation mark, it can be a sign of God’s energy, power, passion, joy, life ...
An exclamation mark even looks a bit like a flame, don’t you think? Especially if we write it in red.
The psalm we’ve read together (104) tells of God’s good creation, with all kinds of elements and animals. The exclamation marks mean that amazing things are happening in the world. We are being shown amazing things – the earth, the waters, the grass and cattle, the moon and the sun, creatures such as ..., mountains, volcanoes – and God is saying, Look! Look out! Yes! Sing out! ...
When it comes to the Holy Spirit on this special day of the Spirit, Pentecost, we are encouraged to try some other energetic words, too, like Whoosh! Wow! Ooooh! Yippee! Alleluia! Amen! ...
Pentecost is supposed to be a loud and happy occasion. The Jewish people had long celebrated Pentecost by remembering when God appeared to Moses on a mountain (Sinai) and in flames and smoke, when God gave Moses the words we call the Ten Commandments – words of freedom, peace and love, showing people how to live – and by thanking God for the earth, plants and animals: Praise God! Thank you, God! ...
The friends of Jesus, who were the first Christians, experienced the same Spirit as a power of courage and community, helping them to speak and hear in many languages – many words of freedom, peace and love: Let’s go! Let’s join together! Don’t give up! ...
God is Love! Love one another! ...
The friends of Jesus hear and speak with power and joy!
That’s the meaning of Pentecost. There’s a power – like a rushing wind, like a blazing fire – a force in the world, and in language (in many words), in the Bible, in the Church, and in us. And we’re invited to see all the ways this power, this Holy Spirit, makes connections and gives life (not just for us but for everyone).
The mark of the Spirit is the exclamation of those who see in Mary a faithful and holy Mother (!). The mark of the Spirit is the exclamation of those who see in Jesus the anointed Teacher, King, Child of God, Word of God (!) ... the exclamation of those who see ordinary people and ordinary things in the warm glow of holiness, in the light of Love!
Jesus is the Word of God! And the words he taught us are filled with the joy, power, passion and life of the Spirit: Love one another! You can try it! You can do it! You can sing it! You can paint it! You can learn it! You can pray it! You can be it! ... Alleluia! Amen!