Henrietta United Church of Christ

Rev. David Inglis May 15, 2005

Matthew 5:14 Pentecost, Confirmation

“Lives Aflame”

Today is Pentecost, which is called “the church’s birthday.” Let me tell you the story. After Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to his disciples and to several hundred of his followers, he returned back to heaven. Now that he was gone, his followers didn’t really know what to do next. Many of his followers went to a house in Jerusalem together to celebrate the Jewish holiday called Pentecost. All of a sudden, a big sound filled the house that sounded like a strong wind, and strange lights that looked a little like tongues of fire appeared among them and over each one’s head. The room was just supercharged with spiritual energy, and filled everyone with an awesome feeling of joy and love and peace, and they burst out into prayers and ecstatic praises of God, even in languages they didn’t know.

What had happened? They realized that the same Spirit of love and truth and light that Jesus had embodied was now alive in them! It seemed to come from outside them, and yet it also awakened something deep inside them. It awakened them to who they really were–sons and daughters of God, carriers of light, ambassadors of mercy, channels of love, mouthpieces of wisdom, bringers of hope. It didn’t seem to matter any more whether they were rich or poor, male or female, slave or free, Jew and non Jew–they all felt deeply connected as God’s children and brothers and sisters of each other. Many of them even shared everything they had with each other.

And so they went from cowering wimps to courageous carriers of the Good News of this life-changing love. Nothing could stop them, even the threat of death.

In those days, a woman who lost her husband or child who lost their father would often have to turn to prostitution or begging to survive. So these first Christians collected money to support them and preserve their humanity. There were no places for sick people to go to be cared for, and many were just left to die. So they created the first hospices, which evolved into hospitals. When this country was new that same Spirit was stirring the ancestors of the UCC to create the first schools for Native Americans, and to help free the slaves on the Amistad ship, and to build schools and colleges for freed slaves after the Civil War. We see this same Spirit stirring people who are sitting right here today to drive elderly people to doctor’s appointments, or deliver food for the food cupboard, or walk in the CROP Walk or Celiac Walk or Breast Cancer Walk, or pray for and visit people in need, or help a refugee family, or work to protect God’s Creation from human destruction, or explore the roots of poverty, or make everyone who comes to our church feel the welcome love of God, or pitch to keep God’s house looking beautiful Blue Jean Sunday. Sometimes I can almost see the flames of spiritual light dancing around in our midst or glowing over people’s heads here at HUCC.

At our confirmation retreat, we talked about the very most important thing about each of us–something that they don’t teach in school or broadcast on TV or make video games about. It’s that we are all spiritual beings before we are physical beings. This world is meant to be more like our school than our permanent address. Who we really are, beneath our appearances and habits and personalities, are carriers of God’s light, love, truth, beauty, and peace. That’s who we are. Our purpose is learn how to live our lives so that our light shines out more and more fully.

So now it’s time for our Scripture lesson.

(Matthew 5:14-16)

Jesus isn’t telling us to be showy. But he’s telling us not to be shy. We were given that light. The world needs that light. So let it shine.

This reminds me of what Marianne Williamson wrote in her book A Return to Love:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deep fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fears, our presence automatically liberates others.

So what I most want to tell our awesome, wonderful confirmands today is to remember who you are. When your alarm goes off or your mom or dad calls you (or yells you or throws water on you or whatever it takes to get you out of bed in the morning), remember who you are. You are a being of light, a carrier of God’s own love and peace and hope. You have a mission today. More than likely, God will put in your path somebody who needs the light of your encouragement, your positive attitude, your understanding, your caring. Remember who you are.

When you’re hanging with your friends and they start talking about doing something you know is wrong, remember who you are. Your body and other people’s bodies are the temples of God’s Spirit. Your soul and your conscience are your truest self, and if you damage them, you hurt yourself. Remember who you are. And maybe that will even help your friends remember who they are.

And if you ever find yourself hurting inside and feeling ashamed and damaged because of what you’ve done, remember who you are. You are loved by God for all eternally. Nothing can change that. All you have to do is need it, believe it, and receive it, and God can heal every wound and forgive every sin. But sometimes we all need somebody to remind us of that, so never be afraid to ask for help when you need help remembering who you are.

And if you ever feel your heart being tugged at by a problem you see in the world, like hunger or homelessness or the environment or violence, remember who you are. Don’t let the world convince you that you’re here to accumulate as many toys and gadgets and comforts as you can, so you can die rich on the outside but empty on the inside. You came with a mission–to lend your hands and mind and voice and abilities to helping make the world a better place. When the world’s problems and needs tug at you, remember who you are.

And now that you are official members of Henrietta UCC, you can help us remember who we are. We’re not just a social club or a mutual support group or a big extended family. We are the body of Christ. We together embody Christ’s Spirit. We together shine Jesus’ light of love, hope, healing, peace, and truth into the world. And we help each other carry that light with us into our families and neighborhoods and schools and workplaces and community–everywhere we go.

Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.” Yes, you! Marianne Williamson said, “You are a child of God.” She said, “We were born to manifest the glory of God that is within us. . . .And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.”

So my prayer for you, Chris, Justin, Laura, Kaitlin, Sean, and Marlena, and everyone else who is here today, is that you always remember who you are. You are the light of the world. The world needs your light. So keep keep that light shining for everyone to see.