Pentecost Sunday May 23, 2021 Acts 2, 1-11 When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues,as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were astounded, and in amazement they asked, “Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans? Then how does each of us hear them in his native language? We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travelers from Rome, both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God.” Today we celebrate the feast of Pentecost: 50 days after the celebration of Easter. The day that the Holy Spirit came down upon the first disciples and our Church was born. In our first reading we have one account of Pentecost, which by the way is why Pentecost is called Pentecost, it means 50: 50 days after Easter. In this account it tells of the Holy Spirit coming down upon the disciples in flames of fire, which is why we wear red today, to represent the fire of the Holy Spirit. The gift of the Holy Spirit is the gift of tongues, or the gift of unity. There are 16 diffferent language groups are mentioned, but the languages and cultures didn’t divide the people rather it brought the people together as one. The gospel from John gives us another account. It doesn’t take place on Pentecost but rather on Easter Sunday, and the gift of the Holy Spirit was peace and the forgiveness of sins. I think one flows into another if there is peace and forgiveness we will be united and if we are united we will know peace and forgiveness. Jerusalem today is good example. We are grateful for the peace between the Israelis and Palestinians but we know that it is tenuos because we know that the Israelis and Palestinians are not one, we also know that they haven’t forgiven each other. What kind of example is St. Mary’s? Is our congregation one in the Spirit? Are we a community of peace and forgiveness? Acts uses the example of language but fortunately language here doesn’t seem to divide us. Yes we have people who speak different languages but it doesn’t seem to divide us. Most of seem to be bi-lingual or at least have some understanding of both English and Spanish. I think we are patient and understanding of our different cultures. I think it is fair to say that the culture of St. Mary’s is a bi-lingual. There is no movement to do away with one or the other language. There are other things that divide us. Politics, the wearing of masks, our understanding of church and liturgy. Unfortunately we move too quickly into right and wrong, it is hard for us to accept differences, to be able to see the blessing of differences, variety. I think we can learn a great deal for our readings today. At Pentecost it lists 16 different groups, and it says EACH heard them speaking in their own tongue. It wasn’t that all could understand one language but in their own tongue. So the unity that the Holy Spirit is no a unity of conformity, but diversity in the midst of Unity. It wasn’t language that made the people one at Pentecost, no it was the Word of God that made them one. How did this happen? Through forgiveness that leads to peace. It is hard for us to do, it is hard for me to do, to accept people who are different. I think everyone should vote like I do; believe the same things about the virus, everyone should be a Green Bay fan. Obviously that isn’t the message of the readings. Rather it begins with forgiveness, forgiveness that brings peace and leads to unity. So let us celebrate our diversity here at St. Mary’s. Let us praise God that we are not all alike. We don’t always have to label everything right or wrong, or either or. Both/and can be an option as well. We forgive one another for the times we have offended and we move forward. Pentecost is also about gifts: the gifts of the Spirit. During the coming weeks we will be talking about the gifts of liturgical ministries. We have lectors, eucharistic ministers, acolytes, miniters of hospitality, music ministers, sacristans, deacons and priests here at St. Marys. As we get ready to open our church more fully each week I want to focus upon each one of these ministries. Some have been lectors for 30 years and should probably continue, others might want a new ministry and there surely are people called to be lectors here who have not yet exercised that ministry. I want everyone to sign up our recommit to these ministries. There will be training for each group and ministers will be commissioned to serve once again. A good parish is one where there are many ministries all working together to build up the body of Christ. May the Holy Spirit continue to bless our parish. May we be one community, community of peace shaped by our love and forgiveness.