Set Your Hearts on Fire

In three days we celebrate Pentecost when the Holy Spirit blew open the closed doors of the room in which the disciples were gathered, and set them ablaze with purpose and courage. We mark this Sunday as the birthday of the Church, not as an institution but as the living Body of Christ set loose on the world to continue the work Jesus came among us to do. As Jesus was the face of God so are we now. We are the visible sign of God in the world.

On Monday, Andrew came to the commencement ceremony at the National Cathedral. He could not stay long since he had to be at his new job. He said he expected to come into a gathering of people who were mostly white. Instead, he was shocked at the amazing diversity. He later asked me if my school was connected with Howard University. I said no, that Wesley is independent from other schools. He was amazed. The family behind him was made up of Indian and Black (he prefers that term over "African-American") members. The faces ahead of him were of almost every hue possible among humans. What a sign to him and others that God is at work through the church, the Body of those who follow Jesus.

Out in Portland, Oregon, the elected delegates of the United Methodist Church from around the world have gathered to discern God's will at this time in history. While it is also a diverse body of many hues that can be seen and languages that can be heard, there is diversity that cannot be perceived simply by looking--that of gender identity and sexual orientation. This diversity makes some people uncomfortable. I can understand that. I confess that it used to make me uncomfortable. I have come to see and understand the persons with these identities and orientations far differently now. How much more rich is the Body at the Table when we are all there. How much more we can be the face of God in the world.

The winds of the Spirit blow open doors and windows; the tongues of fire set us ablaze with purpose and courage. May we be a part of setting the church on fire, building God's glorious Kindom here.

John 14:8-9

 Philip said to him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”?