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Weekly Reading

A Weekly Reflection on the Texts
of the Common, Ecumenical Lectionary

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Posted Monday, May 5, 2008:

The great fifty days from Easter to Pentecost comes to conclusion now, with Pentecost this Sunday, May 11, 2008. The Lectionary provides some options, in fact many options. I'll take Acts 2, I Corinthians 12, and John 20, a nice Holy Spirit Triptych.

Acts 2: 1 - 21

It always seem a little odd, after reading along in Acts throughout Eastertide, to now double-back and get the Pentecost story, but whatever. Acts 2 is a long chapter with at least four parts, of which our reading comprises the first two. The four parts are, the signs and wonders of the Spirit's coming, Peter's sermon text from Joel, Peter's sermon, and the response to the sermon. You could say there's even a fifth part to chapter two, the closing snapshot of the new community. As is true elsewhere in Acts the signs and wonders portion does not stand alone, but is interpreted by what follows it. And this is done so with reference to Scripture, not only Joel (a traditional Pentecost reading for Jews) but citations from the Psalms. In Acts Scripture and Spirit are always held together, never torn asunder. And, as noted above, event and interpretation are held together as well. Though we do not get all of Peter's interpretation, preachers should read and study it all. It seems telling that in the first 11 verses, what astonishes those who hear is not that they don't understand but that they do! We have become accustomed to not understanding one another to such an extent that understanding seems disturbing! Note too that those who asked, "What does this mean?" which is a very good question are not the same people as those who provide a ready, if dismissive, explanation: "They are filled with new wine." Awe and wonder, not having the answer, open hearts are good things not bad things. Or as Gregory put it, "Concepts create idols; only wonder comprehends anything."
 

I Corinthians 12: 3b - 13

Paul's great discussion of the church as the body of Christ reminds us that baptism is baptism "into Christ," i.e. we become parts of his body. Paul here is wrestling with one of those polarities that can only be managed, not reduced to a problem to be solved. This is the polarity of unity and diversity. One body, many parts. In some congregations that accord people great freedom and emphasize diversity, verse 7 may be key: "To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good." For the common good would be the key words. The gift given you is in service to the life of the whole, not to serve your personal interests, agendas or self-aggrandizement. For congregations that construe unity as uniformity, the key verses are 8 - 10 on the variety of gifts. Key in a different way is verse 3, a kind of preface. How are we to take this, which superficially appears to be a call for a kind of verbal test of allegiance? I think it means something different, that the precondition of participation in the Body of Christ is baptism by the Holy Spirit, which is where the reading also concludes. None of this makes sense apart from dying with Christ and rising with him, and thus partaking of the Holy Spirit. It is, after all, the body of Christ with which we have to do. The lens through which all of this is seen, and seen rightly, is Christ.
 

John 20: 19 - 23

This is a second recent appearance for this passage, which was part of the longer lesson for Easter II. It is also John's version of Pentecost, which comes not 50 days later, as in Acts, but on Easter Eve. Fear is the atmosphere. Peace is the antidote. Not courage, but peace—isn't that interesting? Twice Jesus says to his disciples, "Peace be with you." After the first time, he shows them his hands and side. The risen Lord is the crucified Christ. After the second "Peace be with you," he charges them saying, "As the Father has sent me, so I send you," and then breathes the Holy Spirit into them, as God breathed life into the first humans at creation's dawn. We gather in worship that we may breathe in Christ and be raised to new life. This seemingly gentle scene is quite a contrast to the fiery complement in Acts 2, but I am not sure how much should be made of that. The real point is the equivalence of the words "wind" "breathe" and "spirit." The church exists because of the Spirit Christ sends. We are not our own nor are we on our own. We do best when we seek not our own agendas, but Christ's. Without the Holy Spirit we aren't even an interesting organization. "Breathe on me breath of God, fill me with life anew, that I may will what Thou dost will and do what thou dost do." Before we can be givers, we must be receivers. We receive the Holy Spirit, we do not get it. Having received the Spirit we have something to give/share, the power of forgiveness, a power that breaks through the gridlock of the old age to the new age.
 

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