The lectionary texts for the month of May (all from the gospel of John) are instructional in how we wait for the Holy Spirit of Pentecost. On May 3, we are back in the upper room. The disciples express some of our own anxiety – “Lord, we don’t know where you’re going; how can we know the way?” I AM the way, the truth, and the life.
I confess that I have offered some sermons (please forgive me) that focused on the word “the” rather than on the words “way,” “truth,” and “life.” Or even on I AM!
It has enriched my understanding of this text to learn from my son-in-law that, in his native Korean, the word “the” is not as important here. It’s just way, truth, life. I might venture to say: the way of Jesus is the way, the truth of Jesus is the truth, the life of Jesus is the life. So, a nod to the name of Jesus that does not carry through to how he lived, what he claimed, and for what he gave his life, is shallow faith indeed.
On May 10, we are still in the upper room, reminded of Jesus’ promise not to leave us orphaned. I recall still quite vividly standing with my brothers at the bestie of our parents as they took their final breaths. Our mother was with us as our father died, but when she died, we were truly orphaned. There will be many in your pews this day (Mother’s Day) who will be feeling this quite keenly. What might Jesus’ assurance speak to those who grieve, especially on this day? No extra charge – the story of the founding of Mother’s Day has deep Methodist roots! Explore it.
On May 17, we are reminded that Jesus prays for us. Jesus says his followers know that everything he gave us comes from God. He prays for us to be one. As someone who has invested in Christian unity for many decades, I am grateful that Jesus prays for this; on our own, we’d not have a chance. Oneness is not sameness. Oneness belies an awareness of interdependence. Any time astronauts send back pictures of our Earth from a different vantage point, they struggle to say what they experience. It’s called the overview effect – an increased sense of connection to others and the Earth as a whole. I wonder what the overview effect might have on those of us who follow Christ? As He ascends to heaven, taking up more and more of our existence, how might our perspective change? What change in perspective might we need to receive the Holy Spirit at Pentecost?
On May 24, the Spirit comes! Like a dove, like the wind, like a mighty rushing sound, causing amazement and awe, more than chaos. Celebrate with your people the abiding gifts of the Holy Spirit among us! The Holy Spirit can be destructive – to attitudes of superiority, to reliance on political narratives, to harmful theology, to meanness of spirit or purse. The Holy Spirit can be liberating – to those who have been marginalized, forgotten, overlooked. What gifts of the Spirit will you celebrate this day?
Claire