Communication!

I heard a story this week about a person who wrote to a manufacturer of cast iron pipe, telling them that he had found that by pouring pure hydrochloric acid down his drain, it immediately opened his grease-clogged drain pipes.

He asked if there was any way in which the acid might be harmful to the pipes.

The plumbing manufacturer wrote back saying,”Thank you for your letter. The effect of such acid upon ferrous-constructed materials is certain to be deleterious. We therefore urge you strongly to desist from such activities in the interest of the future of your plumbing.”

He read the letter and responded, thanking them for their letter, telling them that he was relieved that he was doing the right thing in using the acid on the pipes.

The office manager was horrified and sent another letter: ”We fear that there may have been some miscommunication in our correspondence. Acid of that density, applied to cast iron, is certain to have dubious results. Therefore, please put your current practices in abeyance.”

The homeowner read the letter, then wrote back, thanking the company for its response, telling them that he, once again was delighted that he was doing nothing that might harm the pipes.

Finally, the exasperated manufacturer sent an email in all capital letters that read:

DON'T USE ACID. IT WILL EAT OUT THE PIPES!

We hope that the message finally got through, that the manufacturer finally hit upon the right words to convey to the homeowner what he really needed to know...and that the homeowner did pay attention and change his ways before disaster befell him and his house!

It took three tries to get through.

The Good News of the day is that the Lord God won't even stop at three tries.

He will use whatever means he can

in order to get through our self-induced fog with a message of life and hope.

And for the disciples,

God's communication took some very dramatic forms in order to get through on Pentecost.

Like the uncontrollable power of the wind it came roaring through the house where they were.

Like the dust storm I experienced that blew into Galilee a few weeks ago from the eastern deserts.

It permeated every corner with its burden.

Every mouth and every breath tasted and smelled of it; there was no avoiding it;

Its substance made an unavoidable impact on us at the dig.

That is something of what Luke is trying to convey in this passage from Acts about Pentecost.

The impact of the the Spirit's presence was that important, that insistent, that overwhelming.

It made the timid disciples into fiery persons, ready to take on whatever communication problem was at hand.

The key verse is “each person heard them speaking in the native language of each.”

The disciples were able to communicate, to get through to those around them, in language that each one understood.

What a gift!

What a change!

What a future is suddenly opened.

How does God get through to us?

How do we in turn get through to others with this word from God?

We have been blessed with so many tools and methods.

For a moment, let's think about several of them.

Why do we print the lessons when everyone ought to be listening?

Because some learn better by seeing than by only hearing.

Because not everyone can hear accurately.

Because the reader might not be clear enough in speaking.

Because someone might cough or drop a toy or a cane at exactly the wrong moment...etc.etc.

Why do we have stained glass when plain would be cheaper?

Because the glass has a series of messages for us, if we take the time to study them and enjoy the windows.

In color and form, in the interplay of light and color, the stories and ideas dance to life in our eyes and minds.

Why sing a hymn when reading would do?

Because the unique blending of text and melody that constitutes a hymn presents not just the words of the text but also its spirit.

Why have poetry when prose would do?

Because a poem makes possible hymns in strophic form, verse after verse, and also because the language of poetry is opening possibilities of meaning that plain prose might not offer.

Why keep referring to the Bible, when we could make up something more interesting on our own?

And now we have come to the center of the situation.

Is the Spirit doing just anything, or are the Spirit's actions consistent with what God has already promised in his Word?

That is one way of phrasing a great controversy going on the the church around this country these days.

Pentecost does not mean anything goes, but rather that God is even more determined than ever to get through to us with his intention for us and for all of creation.

Peter understood this when in the Pentecost sermon he doesn't make up something but instead quotes the prophet Joel and points out how this old word is being fulfilled in their sight and hearing that very day.

The prophet Ezekiel is standing on what has gone before him as well.

“You shall know that I am the Lord”, says the heavenly voice thrice in his vision,

this phrase recalling the beginning of the Ten Commandments, in order to indicate that those good words from God apply even in difficult situations, ones that seem to be utterly hopeless, like the valley of dry bones.

And finally, in the Gospel lesson today, Jesus describes the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, as the one who will continue what Jesus has begun.

In other words, all of the things that are new are still things within the intention that God has had for us from the very beginning;

to unite us under the glorious and gentle rule of Christ our Lord.

I asked one of the participants in the Divine Drama Bible study this year what impact this study has had on life.

This person said that the effect is profound.

It has become clear that the Bible is not a mysterious old book but the centerpiece of a renewed life.

The Word has found a fresh hearing in this person's life, and it has become a kind of 9-month long Pentecost that is taking place as we have talked and studied together.

How great that is!

The right language applied at the right time in the most helpful way is being effective in this person's life.

We can and should be praying today that such a thing happen in each of us, that Pentecost not just be a day to wear red and plant geraniums, but become a state of being wherein God's word from of old freshly interprets our breath and sight and action.

Come, Holy Spirit, do just that!

Make the Pastor's words be God's good words for us all.

Make every member's good deeds be God's words in action among us.

Make the good meal we share the anticipation of the final banquet.

Make the good hymns that we sing the sign of future joy active in the present

Make it all be the truly good communication that we need this day.

Come, Holy Spirit, quickly come.

Amen.

Please note: The preceding sermon is provided as a resource for the thought, prayer, and meditation of the members and friends of St. Mark's. It is the residue of a verbal event, and thus it does not have academic footnotes and other details that would be expected in a written document. The writer gladly acknowledges the prior thought and work of many Christians before him.