John 20: 21-22 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 2:1-6 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. (They were all gathered for Shavuos, Jewish Festival celebrating the wheat harvest in the land of Israel) Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. There were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken.”
From “The Anonymous of Perugia” “On Pentecost all the brothers used to gather for a chapter near the Church of Saint Mary of the Portiuncula. At the chapter they would discuss how they could better observe the Rule. They appointed brothers who would preach to the people throughout each of the provinces, and assigned brothers in their province. Saint Francis used to give the brothers admonitions, corrections and precepts, as it seemed best to him, after consulting the Lord. Everything, however, that he said in word, he would first, with eagerness and affection, show them in deed. ….. He used to tell them: ‘As you announce peace with your mouth, make sure that you have greater peace in your hearts, thus no one will be provoked to anger or scandal because of you. Let everyone be drawn to peace and kindness through your peace and gentleness. For we have been called to this: to cure the wounded, bind up the broken, and to recall the erring.’ “
(AP 37, 38)
A Blessed Pentecost to all of our Franciscan siblings in Christ. Pentecost is the celebration of the beginning of Christian Church here on earth. It was the arrival of the Paraclete, the promised Advocate that Christ foretold, the One who breathed onto and into the hearts of the believers and followers of the risen Lord. From there, they were given internal and external strength, guidance and wisdom to go forth and spread the good news. The New Testament was born and shared around the world. “Church” was hewed out over the centuries to the present day.
Here we are. The Order of Ecumenical Franciscans. A Holy Spirit inspired community of Christ centered believers and followers of our dear Francis and Clare. Both making clear statements about how we are to live our lives. We are called to gather as church communities; to sing praises; give thanks; reconcile with our Creator; receive our Lord in ways accustomed to individual houses of prayer and worship. That is the “brick and mortar” church. How healthy is our church beyond church?
Not only have we committed ourselves to a Christ centered existence, but also by way of a Franciscan centered existence. As quoted from the above reading: “ We have been called to cure the wounded, bind up the broken, and to recall the erring.” How do we do this when we, ourselves, are wounded, often broken, struck down and bleeding from the arrows of predatory oppressors, elites, supremacists, political and religious gatekeepers? Francis received instructions on rebuilding the church. We, today, are still receiving instructions on rebuilding the church, going beyond the brick and mortar traditions and routines from which we are accustomed. The first followers were instructed to move their feet and to speak up in every language. Our challenge today in this polarized, social media frenzied world is how do we maintain a peaceful stance, a gentle spirit and still be correctors of errors? How is our internal health? Our internal peace?
The uniqueness of our OEF family is that we are a gathered people from many lands and many traditions, and yet we are One Body in Christ, by way of our Franciscan heritage. That makes us family. Our chapter/convocation this June is focused around kinship. We come together to gain strength to take our mission of healing the wounded, binding the broken, and opening the eyes of error out to all of creation; gaining internal and external strength, guidance and wisdom from the power of the Holy Spirit bestowed upon us as individuals and as a family, in physical person along with live feed via technology.
1 Corinthians 12-27 reminds us that we are of One Body with many parts. We have family members who are suffering physically and emotionally, who are under attack, who are ill, who are dying, who are feeling alone, who are being threatened, who are in serious need of our love, our healing, our gentleness, our kindness, our support, our guidance, our blessings, our enthusiasm, and our ability to honor them and validate them. If we can do this with each other, keeping peace in our hearts, relieving and letting go of our angst, cutting lose provocation by being still and listening, praying, fasting, letting go and allowing room for the Great Paraclete to enter, we will heal, bind, and find ways for peaceful resolve among ourselves, and by doing so will allow us, as individuals, and as an OEF family to walk together in kinship with one another out into the world, striving to make a difference and actively hewing out a church reborn.
“Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and kindle in us the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit and we shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. O Divine One, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy his consolations. Through the same Christ Our Lord.” Amen