Today is Pentecost – the day we celebrate the Holy Spirit.
As Lutherans, we tend to focus more often on God the Father and Creator and on Jesus our Savior and Redeemer. Even in the Apostles creed, the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity barely gets a mention. Perhaps this is because the Holy Spirit, the gift of Jesus to us, is harder to define and understand – in part because the Holy Spirit routinely colors outside the lines and is not bound by tradition or any rules that we may try to impose upon the Spirit. But just because we can’t understand the Holy Spirit doesn’t mean that we should ignore the Spirit or the role the Holy Spirit plays in our lives. As Martin Luther recognized in his Small Catechism, the Holy Spirit is essential for our life of faith. The Holy Spirit has always been around.
The Holy Spirit was present in the beginning of creation as it moved over the waters. And the Holy Spirit was with the Israelites as they traveled across the desert to the Holy Land. And, as we heard in the Acts of the Apostles reading, sometimes the Holy Spirit shows up with powerful winds and flames of fire. No one was expecting that - but suddenly everyone hears the story of Jesus in their own language. and proclaims with joy and jubilation that Jesus is Lord. Because the Holy Spirit cannot be contained or controlled, the Holy Spirit comes in ways that we don’t expect.
However, there is one place that Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would be – and that is in the water and the Word of God when we are baptized in Christ’s name. At this time, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. You are “sealed with the Holy Spirit” -- and the Holy Spirit never leaves you. So, while we cannot understand the Holy Spirit, we know that we can count on the Holy Spirit to be present in our lives.
So what does the Holy Spirit do? In baptism, the Holy Spirit calls and claims us as children of God.
Soon we will be baptizing Rosalyn Ramona… just as her parents Joey and Courtney were baptized and just their parents, and grandparents and great grandparents were baptized. In baptism, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, a gift which has been given since Jesus told his disciples to baptize in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. This gift of the Holy Spirit has been and continues to be given freely– and it is given for you too -- no matter who you are. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, each person is named and claimed, individually, as a child of God sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever. You are claimed as God’s child and God wants a relationship with each one of you.
I remember the first night that I was home with my first child. I was very nervous because – I was a sound sleeper. And I was afraid that I would not wake up when my baby cried. But you already know what happened, don’t you. Of course, the moment that he cried, I was not only up and awake but at his side. You know the cry of your baby. Or when you go to a crowded playground and a child cries out, “Mama,” or “Daddy” – lots of heads go up – but one person is running to that child.
That is the kind of relationship that God has with each of God’s beloved children. The apostle Paul urges us to call upon God as “Abba! Father!” just as Jesus did. For like Jesus, you are a child of God and God loves you and cares for you. Every day.
The Holy Spirit nurtures you in your relationship with God. And that is one of the reasons we gather in worship together. The Holy Spirit is present with us and supports us in our faith whenever two or more are gathered in the name of Christ. We do that in the church, at Bible camps, on mission trips and whenever we gather together.
The Holy Spirit also nurtures us in our daily life through our prayers, scripture reading and our devotions. Many of you do this already. But for those of you who do not, I encourage you to find simple ways to do that. For example, pray a prayer of thanks before you eat, a prayer of gratitude when you go to bed, a prayer asking for HELP any time of the day. The Holy Spirit hears your prayer.
I also encourage you, Joey and Courtney, to make the sign of the cross on Rosy’s forehead every time you give her a bath, reminding her that she is a child of God. This works for everyone actually – whether you are at the sink, the tub or the shower. Make the sign of the cross on your forehead and say, “I am a child of God. God loves me.”
Finally, one more habit. The Holy Spirit speaks to us through the Scriptures, and so I encourage a daily habit of reading – even just a verse a day. Today there are so many options – little booklets but also devotions that will pop up in your email or on your phone. These are ways for you to welcome and engage with the Holy Spirit in your daily life.
The Holy Spirit also calls us to care for others who are hurting. Because the Holy Spirit calls us into relationship with Christ, when we suffer, Jesus Christ suffers and we do not feel alone. But, as it says in Romans, because we are in relationship with Christ, when Christ suffers, we too are called to “suffer with him.”
But where, you may ask, is Christ suffering? Christ is suffering with those who are hurting.
Christ is suffering with the people in Tulsa, Oklahoma where people died of gun violence at a medical center. And Christ is suffering with the people in Buffalo, New York who lost loved ones at a grocery store because of the color of their skin. And, Christ is grieving with the parents in Evolde, Texas after their children were killed while they were at school. These are not the only things for which Christ grieves. For wherever God’s children suffer… Christ suffers too and so do we.
So what do we do with a world that is so broken, that has such evil in it? Sometimes our world can feel overwhelming. But we can call upon God as Abba, Father, and ask Jesus to send the Holy Spirit to help us, lead us and transform our weary world.
And God hears our cry. And the Holy Spirit helps us to respond with prayers, with tears, … and with humble, loving, transforming actions.
I saw this happen during the pandemic when loved ones were stuck in nursing homes and care facilities. Some of you sent cards, others called on the phone, we delivered worship materials and some of you found creative ways to connect. For example, one day as I was visiting Ramona Anderson, Rosalyn’s great, great grandma, she told me that Joey and Kait had just visited her through the window. What joy that simple action made for her! The Holy Spirit is at work through you whenever you care for another child of God.
For this is what the Holy Spirit does – the Holy Spirit shows us that God’s love is bigger than we can ever imagine – and that God loves you. No matter what. Even when we make mistakes. Even when we hurt one another. Even when we feel as if the world is beyond repair. The Holy Spirit is there to forgive us and lead and guide us back into right relationship with God and with our neighbor. This is the work of the Spirit. Thanks be to God. Amen.
June 5, 2022 Faith-Lilac Way Pastor Pam Stalheim Lane