DAILY BYTE
When I was in high school and learning to drive, after getting to know my style of driving, my instructor refused to call me by my real name… He gave me a new one: Timid. Some teenagers are rearing to be speed machines when they’re let loose behind the wheel, but no, not me. I lacked the need for speed – I lacked the boldness that you need to be a good first-time driver. One day, when overwhelmed in the middle of four-lane bumper-to-bumper traffic, I simply stopped the car and sat still, while my driving instructor yelled at me – You can’t do that! You’ll get us all killed! Take the power of the wheel and drive!! Driving instructors have emergency brakes, but apparently before instructing me, they failed to see the need for an emergency accelerator…
I have since significantly improved my driving skills. Warwick Triangle is an excellent training ground for boldness behind the wheel… But remembering that name, Timid, affects me.
It strikes me because it didn’t feel good – it wasn’t empowering to be defined by something that I lacked. I lacked boldness and courage in those moments, but that lack should not have defined the entirety of who I was as a person.
But we like to define people by what they lack. It makes us feel like we have more.
I’ve been realizing this week how often we really do label peoples’ identities by what they are without. We talk about the “home-less” – the people without homes. We talk about the “orphans” – the people without parents. The “needy” – people whose needs have not been filled. The list really goes on and on, and in the passage we find in 1 Kings this week, we hear about a “widow” – one without a husband. We see her at the beginning of this story being defined by what she lacks.
We’re told that the Word of the Lord commanded this widow to provide for the prophet Elijah, so you would think that she would be waiting with outstretched arms to welcome him into her home. But when Elijah arrives, we find her in a pathetic state. She is scraping together the last bits of what she has then to go lay down and die.
We find her to be the epitome of the “have nots.” She is not waiting with anticipation, empowered by the command that the Lord has given her. She seems to be completely burdened by her lack. As a widow, she would have been one of the most vulnerable and probably destitute members of that society. She was without even her most basic needs and practically crawling to her grave under the weight of that. Do we ever feel so burdened by our needs?
When asked to bring Elijah water, which she probably would have had access to, she acquiesces, but when Elijah boldly – brashly, really, asks that she also bring him some bread from her very own hand, she snaps.
She says, “I swear - I have nothing baked, only a handful of meal in a jar, and a little oil in a jug; I am now gathering a couple of sticks, so that I may go home and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.” She says, look at me – I lack everything – I have nothing to give you. Don’t you see that this is who I am?
Is this who we are? People who lack enough food maybe, enough money, enough power, enough intelligence, enough talent? Is this who we define ourselves to be as individuals and as a church?
Stay tuned this week to explore more of how we see ourselves, how we label others, and how God sees us.
FOCUS READING
1 Kings 17:8-12 (NRSV)
Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “Go now to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and live there; for I have commanded a widow there to feed you.” So he set out and went to Zarephath. When he came to the gate of the town, a widow was there gathering sticks he called to her and said, “Bring me a little water in a vessel, so that I may drink.” As she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, “Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” But she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of meal in a jar, and a little oil in a jug; I am now gathering a couple of sticks, so that I may go home and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.”
Monday, 14 June 2010
Friday, 11 June 2010
Feel it! It is here!
DAILY BYTE
Many mornings I’m awoken by the sound of hadedas calling overhead. This morning it was different – not hadedas but VUVUZELAS! And strange as it may sound, I was glad. Because I knew immediately that the day that we’ve all been anticipating for so long has finally arrived. (As an aside, I heard a brilliant description of a hadeda the other day, as someone called it “a flying vuvuzela!.”)
As the slogan puts it: Feel it! (To which we might now add, ‘Hear it!) It is here!
Personally, I’m hugely excited about today and plan to enter into the spirit of this moment as fully as I can. And irrespective of what happens today – whether it rains, or Bafana Bafana win or lose – I’m confident that it’s going to be one of those days that will be emblazoned on our collective consciousness forever.
The question for me today is this, ‘How can I, as a follower of Jesus, enter into the spirit of this event in a way that will contribute positively to what God intends this Soccer World Cup to mean?’
There are three thoughts that come to mind for me in response to that question:
Firstly, I intend to be truly present to this moment, experiencing it as fully and passionately as I can, taking in the sights and sounds and emotions of it all, and allowing all of this to move me to a place of deep gratitude. I don’t want to be blasé about all of this. I want to have eyes wide open with wonder, and a heart beating with child-like excitement, open to being surprised and amazed. As St Augustine once said, ‘The glory of God is the human person fully alive.’ Being fully alive to this experience is one of the ways in which we can add ourselves, in a positive way, to what God will be doing through this event.
Secondly, I intend offering the gift of hospitality as generously as I can. By this I mean, primarily, the hospitality of spirit that is open to others and will allow a spaciousness within me to connect with others. I want to extend this, not just to any foreign tourists I happen to meet, but also to my fellow South Africans. I want people to experience through me the presence of Christ and the radical hospitality of his Spirit, whether they are consciously aware of it or not. This is a bold ambition which I believe God take delight in.
Incidentally, such hospitality of spirit will also mean a sensitivity to those for whom this World Cup is not a priority in their lives. I’ve just come from the hospital where a dear parishioner lies riddled with cancer. There are many living in abject poverty who have to fight for their daily survival. For these, and many others, the World Cup hype is far removed from the daily struggle that is theirs.
We’ve reflected this week on what it means to ‘make the circle bigger.’ Now really is the time for us to put that into practice through the hospitality that we show to others.
Thirdly, I intend to pray – to let my presence and participation in this grand event be a deeply prayerful one. To pray for peace and harmony and the smooth running of this event. To pray that those wanting to use this event to exploit and hurt others for their own financial gain would be thwarted in their selfish intentions. To pray that barriers that exist between people would be permanently broken down, and that authentic relationships across the dividing lines of nationality, race, language, culture and socio-economic position would be forged and deepened.
Am I being naïve in my intentions? I don’t think so. Today, of all days, reminds us that bold dreams and ambitions can become reality. So friends, let’s give ourselves, as the people of God, to this event with passion, exuberance and joy. And may it all be to the glory of God!
Feel it! It is here!
(Right now, I’m off to the Durban beachfront to the FIFA Fan Park. If anyone wants to hook up with me there, please do. I’ll be wearing a yellow shirt! :-) )
PRAY AS YOU GO
Thank you Lord God for this remarkable day and all that it means. We pray your blessing on this Soccer World Cup. Bless all those entrusted with the responsibilities of organizing and running this event. Strengthen them and empower them for this great task. And bless all of us who will be participating in our various ways. May we do so as your children of light, bearing faithful witness to the God that you are and the abundant life that you intend all people to enjoy. Amen.
Many mornings I’m awoken by the sound of hadedas calling overhead. This morning it was different – not hadedas but VUVUZELAS! And strange as it may sound, I was glad. Because I knew immediately that the day that we’ve all been anticipating for so long has finally arrived. (As an aside, I heard a brilliant description of a hadeda the other day, as someone called it “a flying vuvuzela!.”)
As the slogan puts it: Feel it! (To which we might now add, ‘Hear it!) It is here!
Personally, I’m hugely excited about today and plan to enter into the spirit of this moment as fully as I can. And irrespective of what happens today – whether it rains, or Bafana Bafana win or lose – I’m confident that it’s going to be one of those days that will be emblazoned on our collective consciousness forever.
The question for me today is this, ‘How can I, as a follower of Jesus, enter into the spirit of this event in a way that will contribute positively to what God intends this Soccer World Cup to mean?’
There are three thoughts that come to mind for me in response to that question:
Firstly, I intend to be truly present to this moment, experiencing it as fully and passionately as I can, taking in the sights and sounds and emotions of it all, and allowing all of this to move me to a place of deep gratitude. I don’t want to be blasé about all of this. I want to have eyes wide open with wonder, and a heart beating with child-like excitement, open to being surprised and amazed. As St Augustine once said, ‘The glory of God is the human person fully alive.’ Being fully alive to this experience is one of the ways in which we can add ourselves, in a positive way, to what God will be doing through this event.
Secondly, I intend offering the gift of hospitality as generously as I can. By this I mean, primarily, the hospitality of spirit that is open to others and will allow a spaciousness within me to connect with others. I want to extend this, not just to any foreign tourists I happen to meet, but also to my fellow South Africans. I want people to experience through me the presence of Christ and the radical hospitality of his Spirit, whether they are consciously aware of it or not. This is a bold ambition which I believe God take delight in.
Incidentally, such hospitality of spirit will also mean a sensitivity to those for whom this World Cup is not a priority in their lives. I’ve just come from the hospital where a dear parishioner lies riddled with cancer. There are many living in abject poverty who have to fight for their daily survival. For these, and many others, the World Cup hype is far removed from the daily struggle that is theirs.
We’ve reflected this week on what it means to ‘make the circle bigger.’ Now really is the time for us to put that into practice through the hospitality that we show to others.
Thirdly, I intend to pray – to let my presence and participation in this grand event be a deeply prayerful one. To pray for peace and harmony and the smooth running of this event. To pray that those wanting to use this event to exploit and hurt others for their own financial gain would be thwarted in their selfish intentions. To pray that barriers that exist between people would be permanently broken down, and that authentic relationships across the dividing lines of nationality, race, language, culture and socio-economic position would be forged and deepened.
Am I being naïve in my intentions? I don’t think so. Today, of all days, reminds us that bold dreams and ambitions can become reality. So friends, let’s give ourselves, as the people of God, to this event with passion, exuberance and joy. And may it all be to the glory of God!
Feel it! It is here!
(Right now, I’m off to the Durban beachfront to the FIFA Fan Park. If anyone wants to hook up with me there, please do. I’ll be wearing a yellow shirt! :-) )
PRAY AS YOU GO
Thank you Lord God for this remarkable day and all that it means. We pray your blessing on this Soccer World Cup. Bless all those entrusted with the responsibilities of organizing and running this event. Strengthen them and empower them for this great task. And bless all of us who will be participating in our various ways. May we do so as your children of light, bearing faithful witness to the God that you are and the abundant life that you intend all people to enjoy. Amen.
Thursday, 10 June 2010
Flags
DAILY BYTE
As my kids do the counting it’s “just one more sleep” before the kick-off of the largest sporting showpiece (or any showpiece for that matter) that this country has ever staged. A friend was in Sandton yesterday for the Bafana Bafana parade and described it as “high-voltage electricity being conducted through faces, smiles, yellow shirts and vuvuzelas.” Wherever you are in this country right now, the excitement is palpable. Certainly here in Durban, the summer humidity has been replaced with the thick air of expectation. What a moment for us to savour and enjoy!
One of the clear signs of this World Cup consciousness has been the proliferation of flags everywhere. Flying from car aerials, adorning car wing-mirrors, fluttering from people’s fences, covering shops and malls. They are everywhere. One guy on the news last night had his hair professionally dyed in the colours of the South African flag. Of course, it’s not just the South African flag that is in evidence, but many of the flags of the other nations competing in the World Cup as well.
To all of this I’d like to make two responses.
Firstly, on a positive note, all of this flag waving is certainly adding to the buzz and the anticipation of this massive event. Furthermore, the inclusion of flags from other participating nations is one expression of the welcome being extended to all those who are visiting our shores for this tournament. I celebrate every expression of welcome that we as South Africans can extend to our foreign guests, and pray that they would truly be overwhelmed by the warmth and exuberance of our African hospitality. This is certainly a moment for us to be bold in flinging wide our arms and demonstrating to the world our African understanding of ubuntu – which declares that it is only when we share and affirm our common humanity that we truly come alive as the people we’ve been created to be. If waving flags from different countries does that, then I’m all for it.
But there’s a second response to all this flag-waving that I’d like to share, not to be a killjoy, but to challenge us to think more deeply about these things. And that is to say that national flags, by definition, are symbols of exclusive nationalistic identity. National flags draw very sharp lines between those who identify with the flag and those who don’t. People often have an emotional attachment and a deep sense of loyalty to their flag, precisely because it’s theirs, because it symbolizes their country and their sense of belonging to it. Flags often stir in people a sense of national pride and patriotism, which clearly can be a positive thing.
The problem arises when this pride and patriotism creates an impassable divide between ourselves and others, causing us to see them more as ‘foreigners’ than ‘friends’. There’s little doubt that flags can do this. It’s no coincidence that whenever countries go to war, soldiers always march into battle under their flag. It commands their allegiance, their loyalty and often their very lives.
That’s why, when someone suggested that our church put up a whole lot of flags for this World Cup, I said ‘No.’ For one thing, it would require every single flag of every nation in the world to be included if there were to be any theological integrity to such a move. For another, it’s dangerous using inherently exclusive symbols to try to convey a sense of inclusivity, because the very symbol itself highlights our differences rather than our commonality. Finally, within a faith context especially, our highest allegiance is to God alone. This is why it is so problematic having national flags flying within church sanctuaries, as it confuses what should really be a clear position – that our loyalty, our allegiance, and our very lives belong to God alone, above that which even our country can command from us.
So what does all this say to our exuberant participation in the World Cup and the waving of flags in particular? Is it wrong to wave our flags? To this I would say, “No! Wave your countries’ flag if you want, and be sure to do so with passion and pride.” This is what I plan to do. But in doing so, let’s be sure to remember that our primary identity is not a nationalistic one as citizens of one or other particular country, but that our primary identity is that we are members of the human family, all of us children of God together. And if you’re into the flag-waving thing, be sure to find a few flags from other nations this World Cup and wave them for good measure.
As my kids do the counting it’s “just one more sleep” before the kick-off of the largest sporting showpiece (or any showpiece for that matter) that this country has ever staged. A friend was in Sandton yesterday for the Bafana Bafana parade and described it as “high-voltage electricity being conducted through faces, smiles, yellow shirts and vuvuzelas.” Wherever you are in this country right now, the excitement is palpable. Certainly here in Durban, the summer humidity has been replaced with the thick air of expectation. What a moment for us to savour and enjoy!
One of the clear signs of this World Cup consciousness has been the proliferation of flags everywhere. Flying from car aerials, adorning car wing-mirrors, fluttering from people’s fences, covering shops and malls. They are everywhere. One guy on the news last night had his hair professionally dyed in the colours of the South African flag. Of course, it’s not just the South African flag that is in evidence, but many of the flags of the other nations competing in the World Cup as well.
To all of this I’d like to make two responses.
Firstly, on a positive note, all of this flag waving is certainly adding to the buzz and the anticipation of this massive event. Furthermore, the inclusion of flags from other participating nations is one expression of the welcome being extended to all those who are visiting our shores for this tournament. I celebrate every expression of welcome that we as South Africans can extend to our foreign guests, and pray that they would truly be overwhelmed by the warmth and exuberance of our African hospitality. This is certainly a moment for us to be bold in flinging wide our arms and demonstrating to the world our African understanding of ubuntu – which declares that it is only when we share and affirm our common humanity that we truly come alive as the people we’ve been created to be. If waving flags from different countries does that, then I’m all for it.
But there’s a second response to all this flag-waving that I’d like to share, not to be a killjoy, but to challenge us to think more deeply about these things. And that is to say that national flags, by definition, are symbols of exclusive nationalistic identity. National flags draw very sharp lines between those who identify with the flag and those who don’t. People often have an emotional attachment and a deep sense of loyalty to their flag, precisely because it’s theirs, because it symbolizes their country and their sense of belonging to it. Flags often stir in people a sense of national pride and patriotism, which clearly can be a positive thing.
The problem arises when this pride and patriotism creates an impassable divide between ourselves and others, causing us to see them more as ‘foreigners’ than ‘friends’. There’s little doubt that flags can do this. It’s no coincidence that whenever countries go to war, soldiers always march into battle under their flag. It commands their allegiance, their loyalty and often their very lives.
That’s why, when someone suggested that our church put up a whole lot of flags for this World Cup, I said ‘No.’ For one thing, it would require every single flag of every nation in the world to be included if there were to be any theological integrity to such a move. For another, it’s dangerous using inherently exclusive symbols to try to convey a sense of inclusivity, because the very symbol itself highlights our differences rather than our commonality. Finally, within a faith context especially, our highest allegiance is to God alone. This is why it is so problematic having national flags flying within church sanctuaries, as it confuses what should really be a clear position – that our loyalty, our allegiance, and our very lives belong to God alone, above that which even our country can command from us.
So what does all this say to our exuberant participation in the World Cup and the waving of flags in particular? Is it wrong to wave our flags? To this I would say, “No! Wave your countries’ flag if you want, and be sure to do so with passion and pride.” This is what I plan to do. But in doing so, let’s be sure to remember that our primary identity is not a nationalistic one as citizens of one or other particular country, but that our primary identity is that we are members of the human family, all of us children of God together. And if you’re into the flag-waving thing, be sure to find a few flags from other nations this World Cup and wave them for good measure.
Wednesday, 9 June 2010
Inclusivity in Action
DAILY BYTE
Yesterday we spoke about the events of Pentecost when the Spirit of God was poured out upon the believers, blowing open the doors of their community, anointing their lips so that they could speak in foreign languages so that people of other lands could hear the good news of God. It was a stunning example of the Spirit ‘making the circle bigger’.
But that wasn’t the end of the story. No, it was just the beginning. Because as the book of Acts unfolds we see this relentless hospitality of the Spirit seeking to draw into the community of faith those who otherwise would have been excluded.
Another stunning example of this can be found in Acts 10 & 11, where the church undergoes a major identity shift. Up until that time the believers were exclusively Jewish, and the Christian faith was really a sect within Judaism. But then in Acts 10 there are two visions that change this, which resulted in the church’s identity as an exclusively Jewish entity being changed forever.
The first vision is given to a Roman centurion by the name of Cornelius. He was a Gentile (i.e he was non-Jewish), but was told to send men to a town called Joppa to bring back a man called Simon Peter who was there. Cornelius immediately obeys.
The second vision is given to Simon Peter himself. In it he sees a sheet descending from heaven with all kinds of animals that were not kosher for a Jew to eat – but he is commanded to eat nonetheless. When Peter protests, the voice from heaven tells him, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
Immediately thereafter, Cornelius’ men arrive and the Spirit tells Peter to go with them. He’s being thrust into risky territory – entering a Gentile’s house. But as he does so Peter sees compelling evidence of their faith, and then the clincher – the outpouring of the Spirit upon them. And so he baptizes them, thereby incorporating these non-Jews into the church.
Word of this gets back to the believers in Jerusalem, and so Peter has to give an account of his actions. He explains all that happened, effectively saying, ‘This was all the Holy Spirit’s doing. Who am I to think that I could oppose God?’ (Acts 11:17). When the believers in Jerusalem heard this they praised God, for they recognized that their circle was being made bigger. And even though this represented a seismic shift in their identity as a community, which must have been a threatening change to some, they trusted that this was for the good of the church because it was under the direction of the hand of God.
What an incredible story that challenges our entrenched assumptions as to those whom we tend to regard as falling outside the embrace of the church. How might this story challenge you in your current attitude towards refugees, people of other races & languages, women, gay & lesbian people, people of other faiths or different theological convictions?
PRAY-AS-YOU-GO
Lord God, we acknowledge that inclusivity as an idea is something that we support, but when it comes to expressing it in practice and actively welcoming & celebrating in our midst those who are very different from us, we often find it hard to do. Our prejudices are rooted deep within us, often beyond our conscious awareness. Come Holy Spirit and help us. Move us to new places of openness, hospitality and radical embrace. Enable us to trust your stirring in our midst. Amen.
SCRIPTURE
Acts 10:44-48 (NIV)
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues[a] and praising God.
Then Peter said, "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
Yesterday we spoke about the events of Pentecost when the Spirit of God was poured out upon the believers, blowing open the doors of their community, anointing their lips so that they could speak in foreign languages so that people of other lands could hear the good news of God. It was a stunning example of the Spirit ‘making the circle bigger’.
But that wasn’t the end of the story. No, it was just the beginning. Because as the book of Acts unfolds we see this relentless hospitality of the Spirit seeking to draw into the community of faith those who otherwise would have been excluded.
Another stunning example of this can be found in Acts 10 & 11, where the church undergoes a major identity shift. Up until that time the believers were exclusively Jewish, and the Christian faith was really a sect within Judaism. But then in Acts 10 there are two visions that change this, which resulted in the church’s identity as an exclusively Jewish entity being changed forever.
The first vision is given to a Roman centurion by the name of Cornelius. He was a Gentile (i.e he was non-Jewish), but was told to send men to a town called Joppa to bring back a man called Simon Peter who was there. Cornelius immediately obeys.
The second vision is given to Simon Peter himself. In it he sees a sheet descending from heaven with all kinds of animals that were not kosher for a Jew to eat – but he is commanded to eat nonetheless. When Peter protests, the voice from heaven tells him, ‘Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
Immediately thereafter, Cornelius’ men arrive and the Spirit tells Peter to go with them. He’s being thrust into risky territory – entering a Gentile’s house. But as he does so Peter sees compelling evidence of their faith, and then the clincher – the outpouring of the Spirit upon them. And so he baptizes them, thereby incorporating these non-Jews into the church.
Word of this gets back to the believers in Jerusalem, and so Peter has to give an account of his actions. He explains all that happened, effectively saying, ‘This was all the Holy Spirit’s doing. Who am I to think that I could oppose God?’ (Acts 11:17). When the believers in Jerusalem heard this they praised God, for they recognized that their circle was being made bigger. And even though this represented a seismic shift in their identity as a community, which must have been a threatening change to some, they trusted that this was for the good of the church because it was under the direction of the hand of God.
What an incredible story that challenges our entrenched assumptions as to those whom we tend to regard as falling outside the embrace of the church. How might this story challenge you in your current attitude towards refugees, people of other races & languages, women, gay & lesbian people, people of other faiths or different theological convictions?
PRAY-AS-YOU-GO
Lord God, we acknowledge that inclusivity as an idea is something that we support, but when it comes to expressing it in practice and actively welcoming & celebrating in our midst those who are very different from us, we often find it hard to do. Our prejudices are rooted deep within us, often beyond our conscious awareness. Come Holy Spirit and help us. Move us to new places of openness, hospitality and radical embrace. Enable us to trust your stirring in our midst. Amen.
SCRIPTURE
Acts 10:44-48 (NIV)
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues[a] and praising God.
Then Peter said, "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
Tuesday, 8 June 2010
Blowing open the doors
DAILY BYTE
One of the invitations that this Soccer World Cup extends to all South Africans is to ‘make the circle bigger’ as we offer our welcome and hospitality to the world. Yesterday I said that this is good theology, for that’s precisely what the love and grace of God are all about.
We see this happening in many different ways in the Bible. One of the most dramatic was in the events of Pentecost which marked the birth of the Church. It involved the outpouring of God’s Spirit which enabled the believers to go outside and boldly proclaim, in many different languages, the wonders of God. It was a remarkable example of the circle being made bigger.
Before the events of Pentecost, we read in Acts 1:15 that the group of believers numbered about 120 people. In all likelihood it would have been a homogenous group, all speaking the same language, sharing the same cultural identity and nationality. They would have eaten the same food and supported the same soccer team, if there were soccer teams to support in those days. But with the coming of the Spirit, all that changed dramatically, as that small group of believers exploded to include people from many different nations and speaking many different languages.
The circle of believers was being made bigger. It was not only uncomfortable but also downright dangerous, because no-one knew how wide that circle would ultimately extend. Indeed, one of the key themes in the book of Acts is the relentless hospitality of the Spirit who constantly seeks to widen the circle of the church, to include those whom the believers initially felt honour-bound by their faith to exclude.
What a challenge to us who so easily become entrenched in religious convictions that end up closing the door on others. Thankfully the Spirit of God comes even behind our closed doors to blast them open with the Good News that God’s love and acceptance are for all.
PRAY AS YOU GO
Spirit of God, thank you for blowing open the doors that we feel ‘honour-bound’ to close because of our misunderstanding of what holiness and righteousness really entail. Teach us the lessons of radical grace, that we might become more like Jesus. Amen
SCRIPTURE
Acts 2:1-13 (The Message)
When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force — no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them.
There were many Jews staying in Jerusalem just then, devout pilgrims from all over the world. When they heard the sound, they came on the run. Then when they heard, one after another, their own mother tongues being spoken, they were thunderstruck. They couldn't for the life of them figure out what was going on, and kept saying, "Aren't these all Galileans? How come we're hearing them talk in our various mother tongues?
Parthians, Medes, and Elamites;
Visitors from Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia,
Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia,
Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene;
Immigrants from Rome, both Jews and proselytes;
Even Cretans and Arabs!
"They're speaking our languages, describing God's mighty works!"
Their heads were spinning; they couldn't make head or tail of any of it. They talked back and forth, confused: "What's going on here?"
Others joked, "They're drunk on cheap wine."
One of the invitations that this Soccer World Cup extends to all South Africans is to ‘make the circle bigger’ as we offer our welcome and hospitality to the world. Yesterday I said that this is good theology, for that’s precisely what the love and grace of God are all about.
We see this happening in many different ways in the Bible. One of the most dramatic was in the events of Pentecost which marked the birth of the Church. It involved the outpouring of God’s Spirit which enabled the believers to go outside and boldly proclaim, in many different languages, the wonders of God. It was a remarkable example of the circle being made bigger.
Before the events of Pentecost, we read in Acts 1:15 that the group of believers numbered about 120 people. In all likelihood it would have been a homogenous group, all speaking the same language, sharing the same cultural identity and nationality. They would have eaten the same food and supported the same soccer team, if there were soccer teams to support in those days. But with the coming of the Spirit, all that changed dramatically, as that small group of believers exploded to include people from many different nations and speaking many different languages.
The circle of believers was being made bigger. It was not only uncomfortable but also downright dangerous, because no-one knew how wide that circle would ultimately extend. Indeed, one of the key themes in the book of Acts is the relentless hospitality of the Spirit who constantly seeks to widen the circle of the church, to include those whom the believers initially felt honour-bound by their faith to exclude.
What a challenge to us who so easily become entrenched in religious convictions that end up closing the door on others. Thankfully the Spirit of God comes even behind our closed doors to blast them open with the Good News that God’s love and acceptance are for all.
PRAY AS YOU GO
Spirit of God, thank you for blowing open the doors that we feel ‘honour-bound’ to close because of our misunderstanding of what holiness and righteousness really entail. Teach us the lessons of radical grace, that we might become more like Jesus. Amen
SCRIPTURE
Acts 2:1-13 (The Message)
When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force — no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them.
There were many Jews staying in Jerusalem just then, devout pilgrims from all over the world. When they heard the sound, they came on the run. Then when they heard, one after another, their own mother tongues being spoken, they were thunderstruck. They couldn't for the life of them figure out what was going on, and kept saying, "Aren't these all Galileans? How come we're hearing them talk in our various mother tongues?
Parthians, Medes, and Elamites;
Visitors from Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia,
Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia,
Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene;
Immigrants from Rome, both Jews and proselytes;
Even Cretans and Arabs!
"They're speaking our languages, describing God's mighty works!"
Their heads were spinning; they couldn't make head or tail of any of it. They talked back and forth, confused: "What's going on here?"
Others joked, "They're drunk on cheap wine."
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