Pentecost                         John 14:8-27, Acts 2:1-21                             5/30/04

                                   Paraclete Is Not A Cute Little Bird

 

            Today we celebrate the coming of the Spirit.  We do this from two perspectives.  First, we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, that time in the early church when the Spirit, promised by Jesus came upon the disciples and empowered them for ministry.  

 

            Second, we celebrate the Affirmation of Baptism of three of our youth:  Megan Flinchbaugh, Jacob Mountain and Amanda Porter.  Later in our service, they will repeat the vows made for them at their baptisms.  They will affirm their willingness to fulfill the promises made by their parents when they were too little to make them themselves and to follow the leading of the Paraclete.

            Jesus promised the Paraclete to his disciples as His replacement in the world.  Jesus was about to enter His glory on the cross, but He could not leave His followers on their own to carry on the mission He’d begun.  The Paraclete would help them remember what He had taught them.  The Paraclete would guide them and inspire them.  The Paraclete would comfort and strengthen them as they faced the challenges ahead.  

 

            While the Paraclete was in each believer, it was primarily a part of and evident in the community of believers.  Pentecost is a time to hear God’s call for renewal of the church and it is the Paraclete who will bring about that renewal today, just as it blew a fresh wind through the community of believers long long ago.  Churches that are alive and growing are ones that have allowed themselves to be set on fire by the Paraclete.

 

            I’m using Paraclete intentionally instead of its English translation, “Advocate”.  The Paraclete is so much more than just an Advocate and it just seems that any English word we might use could limit this third person of the Trinity in our minds.

 

            What we most need to get straight is that the Paraclete is not a cute little bird in a cage that learns to repeat what we say.

 

            Unfortunately, some people at times act like the Paraclete is supposed to perform within limits set by them like a bird in a cage.  These people damp down the fire of the Spirit and try to control God or put themselves above God, rather than seeking to serve and obey God.

 

            Cute little birds can be locked up in a cage.  They can be quieted by covering the cage.  And they can be taught to say our words.

 

            The Paraclete, on the other hand, won’t be caged.  If people in one group try to hold the Paraclete in, limit its activity or keep it for themselves, it will go where the people are more willing to give it free reign.

 

            Since the Paraclete is not a cute little bird, we try to quiet its voice at our own peril.  Churches or groups that pervert the Gospel by making salvation something people must earn or work to keep are not blessed by God.    The Paraclete speaks the truth of Jesus and we can only benefit by listening.  

 

            And since the Paraclete is part of the Godhead and not a cute little bird, we are best advised to do what it says rather than trying to get it to do what we want. 

 

            But, just how does the Paraclete speak to us today?  It is unlikely it will actually take on a human voice or put on a spectacular light and sound show as it did on that earlier Pentecost.

 

            The Paraclete guides us through our individual and corporate reflection on Scripture and through prayer.  The Paraclete became part of each of us at our baptisms and continues to work in, through and among us as we struggle through issues that face us.  We do need to be open and actively engaged with the Spirit of Truth, the Paraclete, in order to receive that communication and we need the help of fellow believers to discern the difference between our own wants and God’s desires.

 

            This where you three young people come in.  Unfortunately, all too often this day and its ritual is seen as a religious graduation marking the end of regular church attendance, Christian education and congregational involvement.  I pray this will not be so with you.

            We need you.  Because you are not yet set in your ways, you can be more open to the Paraclete.  It is easier for you to be guided and set on fire.  And we need to have you set us on fire.  You can bring fresh ideas and energy to our community of faith.  You can help us grow, not just numerically, but spiritually.  Thus, you will fulfill your vows.

 

            But, to keep your fire burning you too need to be a part of a community of believers.  You need to feed on Word and Sacrament regularly.  You need to add your prayers to ours to keep an active connection with the Paraclete.  Because the Paraclete’s main work is within the community, you also need the fellowship of believers.  And you need to practice your faith through witness and service.  So don’t mistake the Paraclete for a little bird and dismiss its ongoing work in, with and through you.  Pay close attention to the vows you make today and let the Spirit of Truth continue to lead you all the days of your life.  Amen.