Pentecost sermon 5^th June 2022

This morning we heard the story in the book of Acts of the Holy Spirit filling the disciples and giving them the ability to speak in different languages. The disciples and many other Jews are gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the Jewish Festival Shavuot also called the Festival of Weeks. It is the time when the Jewish people celebrated the first fruits of the Harvest.

The reading gives a long list of different areas, some of which may not sound familiar. It starts with Jewish people from Persia who are descendants of those that remained in Babylon after it’s occupation instead of returning to Jerusalem. The list then describes people from areas generally West and South of Jerusalem, around Asia Minor and North Africa. I believe the main point of describing in such detail what languages the disciples were able to speak, is to show how far the Holy Spirit wanted the Good News of Jesus Christ to go.  Even though the people had gathered there from far and wide, they could hear the good news of God themselves. No one had to abandon the culture that gave them an identity in order to hear from God.

Those who had gathered didn’t understand what this all meant at first and laughed it off, but Peter clarifies by quoting from the Prophet Joel how God declares that the Spirit will be poured upon all flesh and that your sons and daughters shall prophesy. The young men shall see visions and the old men shall dream dreams, even slaves both male and female shall have the spirit poured out upon them.

This act of the Spirit pouring out upon the disciples giving them the ability to speak directly to all those who were present, affirms God’s desire for the word of God to be heard by a diversity of people. If we reflect on the words from the Prophet Joel, it also makes clear that God wants lots of different people to share the Good News. Male and female, young and old, diversity is a key ingredient for this community of believers. Pentecost therefore is a moment for us all to take notice of and recognise that God speaks to all, no matter where we are from, and uses all, whether young or old, male or female, to share this good news. We should take this moment to feel empowered by the Holy Spirit to share the good news in ways that we feel a calling to, whether that’s by being part of a team that livestreams services online or offering hospitality to those who are feeling lonely.

For me as well as being here as the vicar of St Mary’s church, I felt a calling to become an LGBT+ chaplain for the Diocese of Oxford. I wanted to share the good news that sexuality wasn’t a barrier to receiving the love of God. Through my work as a chaplain, I feel that I am not only able to express and show God’s love but I am also able to hear the stories of good news from people who have often been overlooked and marginalised.  

In our gospel reading from John, Jesus talks of the power of the Holy Spirit and that it is through the Spirit that Jesus’ teaching and work will continue. He says that the one who believes in me will also do works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these.

Jesus is affirming the power that will be gifted to all who believe and what we learn at Pentecost is that this gift is given to all.  

 Through the power of the Holy Spirit, God is commanding us to share the good news, as it says in this morning’s gospel, if we love God we should keep God’s commandments. The Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees or knows but if we listen and obey God’s calling the world will be able to receive.

 It is no small task that is being asked of us, but as Christians we are bound by the promises made at our baptism to continue to share the good news that has brought us to this place. It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit inspiring each generation of Christian communities that has come before us, that we are able to be here now. Next time you feel as if the task in front of you is too much or too daunting, take a moment and think of all the Christian brothers and sisters that have come before us who were faced with any number of adversities. Their faith and the power of the Holy Spirit means we are here now.

 God is calling all people to hear the good news and to share the good news, God does not put barriers up as the world does, therefore do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. Be empowered by Pentecost and the Spirit of truth.

 Amen.