Sermon by The Rev. Dr. Joan E. Beilstein

Church of the Ascension

May 23, 2010 – Pentecost (C)

In the Name of God:

Our light, our comfort, our life. Amen.

            As a teenager in the 1970s – I must confess – that I am a rocker. One of my favorite groups was – and still is – Aerosmith.  And one of my favorite Aerosmith songs – is “Back in the Saddle”.  It feels good for me – to be back in the saddle of this pulpit – after a five Sunday break. But while it feels good – I am going to have to ask your forgiveness – if I am a bit rusty.

For the disciples – this 50 day period – between Easter (the resurrection) – and Pentecost (the bestowing of the Holy Spirit) – was a time of comfort, healing, and preparation.  They needed time – between Jesus’ crucifixion - resurrection – and ascension – to regroup – and refocus on their mission. The events of Good Friday had left them – like infants in the faith – vulnerable – helpless – in need of nurturing. And God does indeed – give them this time.

Jesus gently – brings the disciples - out of their fear and grief – and slowly introduces them – to the kingdom of God – they are to proclaim. He comes to them first - behind locked doors –fills them with peace – and breaths on them – that first sweet spirit - of new life. He comes again – in comforting places – on the road to Emmaus – on a leisurely walk – over bread and wine at a simple supper - on the beach – in front of a warm fire – over a cooked breakfast. He leaves them - only when they have matured – and are no longer terrified disciples – but brave and empowered men and women. And he bestows upon them – the Advocate – the Holy Spirit – when they are ready – to proclaim the good news – to people from every nation under heaven - living in Jerusalem.

Now folks – what is the point of this transformational journey – of the disciples – from Good Friday – to Easter – to this Day of Pentecost? The significance is – that this journey – is still on-going - in you and me – today. Whether we are infants or adults – from the time we are born – and baptized – our feet are set – on an evolutionary journey – toward maturity – in Christ. Toward Pentecost.

We grow – we learn. We crawl – walk – stumble – fall - and get up again. We experience moments – of fear and courage.   We have moments of doubt – and clarity. We discover our gifts – and our weaknesses. We experience deaths and rebirths. And in the end – each and every one of us – is called – to stand in the presence – of all people – and with our gifts from God – and be Christ’s living presence – in the world.

And you may ask – how Joan – are we called to do this? Well – I’ll tell you. This last week – I went to a retirement party – for the Director of Field Education at Virginia Seminary. And Jack – my retiring colleague - said something profound. As he talked - about his forty-some years of ordained ministry – he said “I always remember that I am responsible - but I’m not in control. God is in control.”

This is how we BE Christ’s living presence in the world. As members of God’s household – we take responsibility for ourselves – and strive – to live out our baptismal vows. And what are these vows we take and renew?

We promise to engage in spiritual formation, be part of a faith community, break bread together, and pray with and for each other. We promise to acknowledge our sins, make new beginnings, ask God’s forgiveness - and the forgiveness of those we hurt.  We promise to proclaim - God’s love in word and deed – at work, at home, in all of the varied arenas of our lives. We promise to seek and serve God in all persons – and love our neighbors as we love ourselves.  We promise to seek justice and peace among all, respecting the dignity of every human being.

If we do these things – we are indeed – doing the best we can do – as God’s beloved children.  But when it comes – to the outcomes – the consequences - of living out these promises - we cannot control - or predict these.  We cannot control how people – receive us – as Christ’s living presence - in the world. We cannot count on appreciation – or thanks – or some grand reception. We must be open to God’s grace – and the movements of the Holy Spirit – and trust – that God is working in and through us – even if we can’t see the results. Indeed – we must consistently – and bravely - go forth – time and time.

You know – after 16 years of ordained ministry – I have seen a lot of people – come in - and out of the doors – of the churches I’ve served. The ones who stay – or eventually find a church home - realize – that a mature spiritual life – is circular – not linear.  And what I mean by this is – that while it is important to have our needs met – they are being met – for a higher purpose – other than just our own self-gratification.

God leads us – to find life-giving community – so we can go forth - and create such community – outside of the church doors. God wants us to be nourished pastorally and spiritually – so we can go forth and nourish others – with our compassion and support. God instructs us - about peace and justice – so we can go forth – and be equipped – to make these a reality - for victims of oppression – and inequality. And God gives us - the bread and wine of new life – so we can go forth – and feed those – who are hungry for spiritual food – which is of substance – that feeds body and soul. We come in – to be empowered to go forth – as God’s risen people. This is our calling as God’s Pentecost people.

With all of this said - I ask all of you - to please stand. I close with this charge.  Tom, your discipleship journey in Christ - is embarking on a new beginning.  Parents and Sponsors of Chloe, Meron, and Nathaniel, you are responsible for seeing that these children – from this day forward – are raised to the full stature of Christ. And all of us – here gathered – we are continuing our discipleship journey - in Christ.

We are God’s beloved children. Therefore – let us never forget – that the Holy Spirit is with us – to guide us – to pick us - up if we fall – and to place our feet back - on the right path. Let us take responsibility - for ourselves – and our ministries.  Let us trust in God’s grace – and be open – to the free movement - of God’s life - in and around us. And most of all – let us go forth - today and always - proclaiming God’s manifold works – and singing God’s praises – as long as we live. Amen.