Some of us
are back in church, but others continue to participate from home. Life still
isn’t what we used to call ‘normal’. Even if you are returning to church, it
may look different with more distance, less hugs, and lots of masks. We are in
the middle of a huge change in how we live our lives. It may be permanent, or
it may be only temporary. No one really knows. However, we can still pray "Come Holy Spirit", and know that God will respond. In fact, God is responding every day!
For the disciples, Pentecost marked a huge change in their life. Their ‘norm’ of being followers of a popular rabbi had ended abruptly when he was arrested and crucified. They went into hiding. But then…the normal expectations of life and death were altered. Fifty days earlier they were stunned that Jesus rose from the dead. In the ensuing days, there had been times when Jesus was with them. Then he ascended and disappeared from their sight. Now they gathered in Jerusalem for the Jewish feast of Pentecost.
The very beginning of the Acts of the Apostles gives us a summary of the events. Luke says, In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over the course of forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. ‘This’, he said, ‘is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’ (Acts 1:1-5)
After Jesus ascended, they returned to Jerusalem…constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers. (Acts 1:12-14)
At the Feast of Pentecost, the Jewish festival occurring 50 days after Passover, these followers 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)
Once again, their lives were shaken and changed. Yet God was manifestly present in the seeming chaos.
The COVID-tide (a phrase coined by Bishop Mark VanKoevering of the Diocese of Lexington) has shaken and changed a lot of things in our neatly ordered worlds. Those over a certain age are urged to stay home. Everyone is encouraged, or mandated, to wear a face mask, gatherings over a certain size are discouraged or even prohibited. Many of our churches are still closed, or opening with low attendance and new protocols in place.
Yet God is completely present in this unsettling and chaotic time.
I see God in the spring beauty and the bird song.
I see God in the hands of the healthcare workers and food pantry volunteers.
I see God in the virtual worship services.
I see God in the caring phone calls, email, cards, and even Facebook posts that so many are doing.
I see God in the handmade face masks provided to homeless and to others who might not otherwise have one.
I see God…so many places.
And I need to look for God in more places!
Next week, we’ll start a series looking for God in the statements of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8*. Indeed, there is a time for every purpose under heaven. I’ll admit this series is a way for me to see God in more ways and places. Looking at these various ‘seasons’ may help me (us) see God more and more clearly--even through our masks! Join me, and we can explore this idea together for the next several weeks in the Season of Pentecost.
*For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to throw away;
A time to tear, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate;
A time for war, and a time for peace. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)
