2015-05-25 Pentecost AM

Here on Pentecost Sunday, we remember how the Holy Spirit arrived as tongues of fire.  No words.  No explanations.  No encouragement.  No warnings.  Just a roaring wind and tongues of fire.  As with any fire, there was some possibility for danger.  This fire would somehow change the lives of those disciples.  And change them radically, and forever.  Before this fire, there was no church.  No baptism.  No sacraments.  No preaching.  Just Mary and a motley crew of cowering men, afraid of their own shadows, and afraid, most of all, that what had happened to Jesus on the cross was going to happen to them.

Today it all looks so peaceful, bringing a child to be baptized: a lovely white baptismal garment, sweet-smelling oil placed on the forehead, warm water gently poured over the child’s head, a candle as a sign of the light of Christ.  All so peaceful and serene.  And when we look around this church, we see all these lovely people, so friendly and welcoming.  But anyone who is familiar with the story of Jesus and what happened after his death might ask: do you realize what you are getting yourself into?  You are laying yourself open to, if not trouble, then troublesome possibilities.

On this Pentecost Sunday, two thousand years later, the Holy Spirit may not come as tongues of fire.  But the Spirit wants the same kind of transformation – this time, not in the Apostles, but in Caedmon and his parents and godparents and in you and me.  As Cyra and Matthew will teach Caedmon, it’s dangerous to play with fire!  If we let the Spirit in, the danger is that you and I might become an incredible source: of good, of justice, of truth and beauty, and everything that Cyra and Matthew want of their child.

The danger is that Caedmon and all of us might have to go up against the powerful forces of this world and make sure that the hungry are fed, and that the homeless are given shelter, and the sick and dying of this world are healed.  But the real danger is that you and I might mistakenly believe that Caedmon will have to do this alone.  The Holy Spirit didn’t come as wind and fire to just one apostle.  The Holy Spirit came to all of them.  Pentecost isn’t a feast for loners.  It’s a feast of the whole church – and we have an incredible opportunity this morning in Caedmon’s baptism.  You and me playing with fire in the midst of the church?  That’s the kind of danger the world needs.  Let’s invite the Spirit in!  There’s no telling what it will unleash in us, and in Caedmon.  Let’s play with God’s fire!

Paul A. Magnano

Pastor