The Christian Church celebrates its
birthday on May 11th as the Day of Pentecost
is observed.
Pentecost, meaning “fifty,” has Jewish
origins. For Jews, Pentecost marks
the beginning of the Feast of Weeks, fifty
days after Passover, when the first fruits
of the harvest are presented to God.
For Christians, Pentecost commemorates
the day when the Holy Spirit
descended upon the early church in answer
to Jesus’ promise, “I will not leave
you comfortless” (John 14:18). The story
of this dramatic event is told in Acts 2. In
this chapter is recorded the beginning of
the Church of Jesus Christ.
The miracle of Pentecost is that it
turned depressed, frightened, insecure
disciples into fearless missionaries for
Christ. The color for the Pentecost Season
is brilliant red, reminding us of the
flames of fire that danced on the heads
of the believers in Jerusalem that memorable
day.
The Spirit of God continues to
dance in the lives of men and women
and in events in this world. It was in Pentecost
that the Holy Spirit warmed the
heart of John Wesley as he traveled
along Aldersgate Street in London. This
encounter with the living Spirit of God
led Wesley to say, “The world is my parish.”
He lived into his 80s and brought to
England and the world the vital piety and
social holiness of the Methodist movement.
On Pentecost Sunday our church
will rejoice at the confirmation of 29
young people. These youth will be
guided by the Holy Spirit to say “yes” to
Christ and embark on an intentional journey
of discipleship. It will be a high moment
in the life of the church and I encourage
your attendance (the confirmation class will be presented at the 11
o’clock service on May 11th).
None of us can know what the future
holds for these young people.
Among them may be one like Jane Addams
who was born on Pentecost Sunday
in 1860. She became a famous
American social worker and founded
Hull House in Chicago. She was a courageous
leader for women’s suffrage
and an advocate for peace over war.
She envisioned a new society built upon
feminine values. Some regarded her as
the most dangerous woman in America
because of her opposition to World War
I. However, in 1931, her visionary energy
was honored when she received
the Nobel Prize for Peace.
On Pentecost in 1964, President
Lyndon Johnson delivered his Great
Society speech. While there may be
much to criticize about the “Great Society,”
the idea of a nation committed to
providing housing, education, health
care and other fundamental needs for all
citizens has the ring of the community
that was born through the Spirit’s visitation
in the Book of Acts.
When we confirm the 29 youth on
May 11th, we may be witnessing the beginning
of a spirit-led journey that could
change the world. You just never know
what the Holy Spirit can do in a willing
life.
I’ll see you at the “Spirit Shaping”
Place this Sunday!
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The Power of a Mother’s Love
In May we celebrate Mother’s
Day. Did you know there is a patron
saint for mothers and wives? Her
name is St. Monica and her story is
inspiring.
Monica was born in 322 into a
Christian family in Tagaste in North
Africa. Her parents selected a husband
for her, a pagan named Patricius,
who was a bad-tempered man
and unfaithful to her. To add insult to
injury, his mother, who was a very
cruel woman, lived with them. But
Monica ignored the indignities her
husband and mother-in-law heaped
on her and practiced good works
instead. She cared for the poor and
the sick and took good care of her
family.
Monica and Patricius had three
children. The eldest son, although a
talented scholar, was a source of
constant worry for Monica. She
prayed constantly that he and her
husband would someday join her in
worship. Eventually, her faith and
kindness were partially rewarded:
her husband and his mother converted
to Christianity.
But Monica’s son seemed hopeless.
He ran away from school, returned
to the house and insulted his
mother. Monica forced him out, but
took him back after a voice told her,“your son is with you,” which she
thought meant with her in faith. However,
the boy continued to stray. He
took a mistress, had a son, and ignored
his mother’s pleas and protests
about his life-style.
Monica sought the counsel of
her spiritual guide who encouraged
her saying, “It is not possible the son
of so many tears should perish.”
Eventually Monica took her son to
Bishop Ambrose in Italy, who
brought him to God by appealing to
his intelligence instead of his emotions.
Monica’s prayers were answered
far beyond what she imagined.
Her son became so strongly
drawn to the faith that he was eventually
canonized—as Saint
Augustine, one of the church’s
greatest teachers and philosophers.
A mother’s prayer can achieve
great results! On this Mother’s Day
let us give thanks for the prayers of
our mothers said on our behalf. No
doubt it would be the testimony of
many to say that the faith they have
is there because a mother’s loving
prayers blew its ember into a fire.
Thank God for all the mothers in this
world who, like Monica, never gave
up on their children!
I’ll see you at the “Mothering
Place” this Sunday!
Rev. Chris Andrews
