Last Sunday evening we celebrated Haitian Mother’s Day, which is always the last of May. We were blessed to have people from English congregation, Spanish congregation, people from Epiphany congregation in Stamford, Haitian guests in the community of Bridgeport. This gathering was like an anticipation of this festival Pentecost celebration. We were using five different languages in this worship: English, Spanish, French Creole and Zulu, a language from South Africa, through the song “siyahamba ekukhanyeni kwenkos.” This celebration of Haitian Mother’s Day called Unity in the diversity.
After this Festival Pentecost Sunday, my expectation is that for each of you is able to control the fear you face and not let it control you.
On Pentecost Sunday at St John’s Bridgeport, more than 15th year in a row, it has been a tradition for a variety of local congregations gather to celebrate The Festival Pentecost in a multiple of tongues.
What is the real meaning of Pentecost? In the context of the text of Acts, Pentecost does not only mean the celebration of harvest after seven weeks according to the Jews tradition. It does not only mean fifty days after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It does not only mean a celebration in which people speak in tongues. The real meaning of the Pentecost according to the of acts is that God coming down through the power of the Holy Spirit to be in contact with us. Suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of violent wind. This rush of violent wind id the divine presence, the promised gift, the Holy Spirit of God.
Pentecost is a moment through which the Church begins to get rid of fear
Prior to the celebration of the Haitian Mother’s Day, a guest asked me a question saying: Reverend Rock: could we live without fear, these days, so many tragedies happened in our world? I responded: a novelist American, Louis Lamoore said : “only those who do not do anything in this world can live without fear.” At some point, we all live with certain fear, when we do something. The good news, however, is that those who believe in Jesus Christ can control this fear through the power of the Holy Spirit of the Pentecost to move on and participate actively in God’s mission. Keep asking Jesus, through prayer to fill us with his Holy Spirit to guide us, to manage the fear that we face in our daily life. Fear is the most damaging thing to our personality. Jesus knows that very well, before he ascended into heaven, he promised his disciples on different occasions:
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
I will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever. This advocate is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth allowing you to be witness of Jesus Christ everywhere we go (John 14:16-17).
Jesus accomplished his promise the Day of Pentecost. The day of Pentecost is extremely important for the whole Church.
Of course, we may consider this world as a valley of fear, a valley of death, a valley of destruction. Considering recent tragedies, one in Texas, where 21 people were killed in 15 minutes by a youth. The other one, in Oklowama where four people died by gun violence. The parents of the children, the family of the teachers, in both locations when they visited the scene, they only pictured a valley of death. The church, despite all circumstances, needs to sustain a consistent position to continue to proclaim the gospel until the end without fear.
After Jesus’ death, the disciples lived with fear. The day of Pentecost is vitally important for all Christians. We are not alone in this journey full of uncertainty. God is in permanent contact with us. Suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of violent wind. This rush of violent wind id the divine presence, the promised gift, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth be our paraclete, our comforter, our strength, our advocate to face all situations, and get rid of fear.
We can say as David: ’The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can someone do to me? “If God is for us who can against us.”
The Day of Pentecost gives us a sense that we can accomplish anything through the power of the Holy Spirit- Paul said beautifully “we can do all thing through Christ who strengthens us.” I remember, in 1994, the episcopal bishop of Haiti transferred me in the South part of Haiti as a rector of a parish connected with four satellites congregations and five schools. There was no structure in any of those congregations and the schools. I said to myself: I have to do something, and I pray about it. In five years, my US partners helped me to build new schools, a community college, the first one in that region. This is a living example to tell when you believe in Jesus, you trust him, and you let his Holy Spirit flow in you, you have everything you need. Jesus, as I used to say, is enough. He gives the day of Pentecost us a spirit of power, a spirit of unity, a spirit of harmony, a spirit of peace and spirit of love. What a day. Jesus is here this morning, this day of Pentecost telling you…not to fear and not to let anything trouble your heart. Evil people may try to destroy you. Listen to what Jesus said in John 16:33, “ In the world you will have trouble. But courage! The victory is mine; I have conquered the world.” keep trusting Jesus, he will defeat them.
“Although we walk through the valley of death, we should have no fear,” David said.
We, believers are covered by God, from the inside as well as the outside. The day of Pentecost reveals that we are not alone in this trouble world, this world of tragedy, this world of conspiracy and injustice. The day of Pentecost reveals that the eyes of God are upon us.
Although, our hearts are broken, when we face a repetition of tragedy from Gun violence, violence committed with the use of firearms. Without fear, we all are called to contribute to the creation of a world of peace.
Last year, May 10th, the retired bishop Jim Curry did a workshop at St John’s. He taught us with love and passion, how we can transform guns into garden tools and souvenirs. Here is one of the Garden tools, and souvenir that he made from guns. Retired bishop Jim has given his contribution in the creation of a world of peace, and he challenges each of us to do so. Enough is enough, we all need to participate to build a better world. If you have a fear to get on board, ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit of Jesus to control this fear.
This Holy Spirit of the Pentecost is our energy, power, during all tribulations we are well equipped to not be discouraged, let the Holy Spirit flows in us, be able to put all fear under control, and live-in unity, harmony, peace, and love with each other, as Jesus does with his Father.
Only when we live in unity and harmony, peace, and love with one another can we let the Holy Spirt flows in us and be able to control any fear to participate effectively in God’s mission by preaching the gospel until the end of the earth.
Pray and believe in Jesus and his comforter, and his Holy Spirit will give the ability to control all fear forever. Amen.
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