Looking Ahead to April 24, 2022 -- 2nd Sunday of Easter

 The Scripture Readings this week are: 

• Acts 1:3-5, 12-14
• John 20:19-31

The Sermon title is Now? Later? When?

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Early Thoughts: In the Gospel of John, in the chapters leading up to his arrest (chapter 14 to be precise), Jesus promises his followers that he will not leave them orphaned. He promises that God will send them the Advocate.  Here is the exact promise: 

"I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you...”I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid" (John 14: 18, 25-27)

 But when exactly is that gift given? In our readings this week we have two very different possibilities.

According to Luke-Acts Jesus appears to his disciples repeatedly over a 40 day period then ascends into heaven (Luke actually tells the Ascension story twice-- once at the end of the gospel and again in the verses omitted from this Acts 1 passage). Then 10 days after Jesus has ascended the Holy Spirit descends upon the community in the story of Pentecost. So in this version the Advocate comes 50 days after Easter (this is why the Easter Season is 7 weeks long leading into Pentecost Sunday).

John has a different understanding. For John Jesus bestows (or rather blows) the Holy Spirit on his followers on the evening of Resurrection Day. This fulfills the promise made in chapter 14. No waiting for 7 weeks, the Holy Spirit comes as a part of the experience of Resurrection. 

So what do we do with these stories? When is/was the Spirit poured out on the community of the faithful? When is is poured out on us?

I suspect the the Spirit has been poured out on us, and also is being poured out on us, and also will be poured out on us. I don't think it is a "one and done" type of thing. Sometimes we may need to wait for the opportune time (whatever that may mean) to feel the Spirit at work within, among, and around us. Sometimes it is there in the midst of our shock and grief. Sometimes it is a blustery, almost violent experience (such as in Acts 2). Sometimes, as in this passage from John, it is a calming comforting thing, coming with words and assurance of peace.

And then comes the next question... how do we know if the Spirit has been poured out on us? How can others tell if we are living as people upon whom the Spirit has been poured out? What difference does it make in our lives, in how we are in the world?

What is your experience of the Holy Spirit?
--Gord