The Day of Pentecost
May 11, 2008
The Reverend Ann Van Dervoort

Acts 2: 1-21

     When I was a student at the Seminary of the Southwest, the very well known church historian, Dr. Martin Marty, was invited to speak on the topic of multiculturalism, which, at the time, was the new buzz word.

     Everyone was talking about this social and political movement that can be best described by saying it “holds differences between individuals as a potential source of strength and renewal, rather than strife; valuing diverse perspectives and upholding the ideals of equality, freedom and respect for all persons.” (Rosa Carson, 1999)

     I will never forget when Dr. Marty stepped up to the podium, took a small well-worn Bible from his pocket and began to read from the Book of Acts: 

     “Parthians, Medes, and Elamites;

     Visitors from Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia,

     Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia,

     Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene;

     Immigrants from Rome, both Jews and Proselytes

     Even Cretans and Arabs!”  

     And then he said, with a twinkle in his eye, “And we thought multiculturalism was a new phenomenon.”

     Of course, we cannot project our current ways of understanding backward into history, but it seems to me that what was happening on the “Day of Pentecost,” many centuries ago, is certainly well worth remembering as we struggle with how to get along with one another not only in our own Episcopal Church, but most importantly with those from around the world whose religions and cultures differ from our own. 

     On that great festival day that we celebrate every year, the people from near and far heard one another for the first time, understood, and were filled with God’s Spirit---understanding at once, in all languages, the spoken ever-present message of Love, Hope, Forgiveness, Truth, and Reconciliation---urging them, in all languages and cultures, to dream big dreams and to envision a glorious new world. 

     Archbishop Desmond Tutu (who was here, by the way, in our Diocese this weekend at the School of Theology at Sewanee), puts it this way: “God’s purpose is to unite all the separate and divided things and peoples of the world---WE are (God’s) agents, (God’s) instruments;” (The Wisdom of Desmond Tutu, p. 40, compiled by Michael Battle)

     We all have been empowered over and over again by the Spirit, and today is our reminder to carry out the ministry of Christ in the world---not with empty words, but with our actions. Yet-----

     Those tongues of fire of Pentecost burn out way too soon if we don’t keep asking ourselves “Where do we burn?” “How do we keep our passion alive?” “What might we do to keep love and hope and forgiveness alive in the world?” The Spirit of God wants to move us from being passive eye witnesses to active embodiments of the flame, keeping it alive and igniting it in others. 

          Our own Becca Stevens, a young priest in this diocese is doing God’s work of keeping the flame alive. Becca recently traveled to Rwanda with others from Nashville to bring hope to women there who survived the genocide of the 90’s, but who have been raped, beaten and abused. 

       For those of you who are not familiar with the Magdalene Program here in Nashville, started by Becca over 10 years ago, it is a very successful ministry of rescuing women off of the streets who are addicts and prostitutes, giving them shelter, love, hope and a new lives. The program currently has 28 residents. 

     As part of the program, the women learn to make and to sell bath and body products under the name Thistle Farms.    We have sold these products frequently over the years at St. Paul’s, in order to support these courageous women. 

     The women of Rwanda, desperately need Hope, and Becca and others have taken the Thistle Farms program to them---and they are so eager to learn. “They were so grateful that someone in the United States thought of them,” Becca said, “and then came all the way to tell them they loved them.” (The Tennessean, 5-8-08)  

     This connection between two continents is being kept open and alive with letters back and forth between the women in Nashville who have received new life, and the women in Rwanda---keeping the Spirit aflame. 

     There is so very much we can do to make the world a better place; yet what is required is not to be afraid---but to be radically open and receptive when the Spirit calls----not always expecting a mighty wind and tongues of fire, but often just a tap on the shoulder---over and over and over again, until we have the courage to turn around---knowing then, that there will be no turning back. 

     Let us pray: 

     O Holy Spirit who at the beginning of creation moved over the face of the waters:

     Create us anew with your life-giving power.

     Enable us to hear your voice through the prophets of our day.

     Strengthen the baptized in their life in the world.

     Move among us that we may dream dreams and see visions and work to make them real---that we may transform the world in which we live.

     Move among us so that we may rejoice in the bond of unity which comes from you in the midst of all of our cultural, racial, political, gender and economic diversity--- (Always remembering to value these diverse perspectives and to uphold the ideals of equality, freedom and respect.) 

     Move among us that we might experience anew the joy and discovery, the wonder of creation, and the excitement of spontaneity. 

     Spirit of God, move among us---that we might BE the Church. (Adapted from a Litany for the Day of Pentecost from St. Michael and all Angel’s Church, Dallas TX.)                                                                          

     Amen.