From the Day of Pentecost to Trinity Sunday

Fr. Pete has recorded a video version of this post.  View and listen here. And read on for the text of the video.

Aloha! What a glorious Day of Pentecost we had! All that red you were wearing—it was beautiful. And our keiki made colorful doves for the sliding doors. What made the day really special was the baptism of Ruthann, John, and Joy Ridge, as we welcomed them into God’s forever family.

In the sermon we explored the events of the Day of Pentecost from Acts 2. This astonishing event was the culmination of a series of ups-and-downs that Jesus’ disciples experienced over the brief time they walked with their beloved rabbi. Yes, they had a yo-yo life (as I demonstrated with my toy yo-yo!). And certainly, each one of us could say our own lives have been like a yo-yo these past several years, as has our beloved St. Timothy’s. But the disciples’ path led to this glorious day when the “Paraclete”—the Holy Spirit, our Advocate, Helper, and Guide, whom Jesus promised to send to his disciples--descended to fill and embrace each believer. Including you and me today!

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We also heard Ezekiel’s prophecy of the dry bones coming to life through the breath of God’s Spirit. Whenever we feel dried up, empty, and hopeless, God promises life and hope to us through the power of the indwelling Spirit.

At baptism, we are sealed by the Holy Spirit as Christ’s own forever, and we witnessed that on Sunday—three times! Each of us renewed our own baptismal vows once again. In the sermon, I quoted Mennonite minister Melissa Florer-Bixler, whose words to her 10-year-old son recounted in a recent Christian Century article about baptism I found helpful: 

When we’re baptized, we’re saying ‘I love you’ back to the one who has always loved us and always will. And saying ‘I love you’ makes a kind of life. Those words make a home…. But we’ll never be able to figure everything out. Maybe this is the question: Do I want to keep figuring out my life with Jesus and with other people who also love Jesus?

I hope your answer to this question is yes! That’s what living as a baptized Christian really means.

After Pentecost, we put our Paschal Candle away, and after Trinity Sunday this week, we will enter the liturgically green Season of Pentecost—which some call “Ordinary Time.” This season will take us all the way to Advent. But first, the Church takes time this Sunday to consider a theological concept that is difficult for any human to truly comprehend, but which can nevertheless enrich our understanding of our relationship with God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

On Trinity Sunday we’ll ponder what God as Trinity means to us as we strive to live as God’s people. We’ll also honor our recent graduates! I hope you’ll join us on Sunday morning at 9 in the Chapel, or worship with us on Facebook Live. 

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I am praying for you, dear sisters and brothers, and I ask for your prayers for St. Timothy’s Church, for our dedicated staff and our devoted lay leaders. May God bless you all!

​Aloha ke akua,
Fr. Pete+