Into the Fire
Refined for the Work of Loving Each Other
Dear Friends,
This is… probably my 5th Pentecost writing to you all. It could feasibly be my 6th (I don’t know if my one extended hiatus fell across a Pentecost), but one way or another, I’ve run my words over this particular festival more than a few times. That may be why, as I sit thinking about the images and themes of this day, my brain is instead repeating a moment from the medical procedural House, M.D.
The scene? House, Wilson, and Chase are speed dating and House finds himself at a table with a woman who is reciting off some facts about herself. The first few check out with House’s sardonic and misogynistic preferences (and I say this as someone who loves that show so much, I wore out my DVDs), until she adds a final declaration….
“and I’m on fire for the Lord!”
I’m sure you can see how I got here. Pentecost, with all of its images of the Holy Spirit coming like fire, gives this turn of phrase a different valence. It’s precisely how one might describe that moment in the Upper Room – the disciples-turned-apostles, who have always been deeply invested in this faithful mission, have just had the volume turned up on their faith. But, from my perch here and now, the odds of hearing any mainline Protestant say these words feels slim-to-none, even if it might be true. As an Episcopalian, the saying that we are “the frozen chosen” sort of positions us on the opposite end of the spectrum.
Can you be a heady, reserved theological thinker-type and “on fire for the Lord” at the same time? I want to say yes, but it all feels at odds.
But then I think about Peter.
Peter Changes
During our most recent set of revisions, Godly Play picked up a new set of lessons about Peter, paralleling our existing lesson on Paul. The longer story of Peter’s life, Peter’s Journey, takes us on a path alongside Peter, beginning with his conversion and ending in his death, but the Pentecost story is at its core. That piece, captured as “Peter Changes” shows the moment when, caught up in the power and spirit of Pentecost, Peter gives a great sermon to the crowds, drawing on the words of the Prophet Joel.
Peter is changed by the coming of the Holy Spirit. The man who was so fearful – who doubted and began to sink when Jesus called him out on the water, who denied Jesus in the face of the crowds – now he is speaking to all of the people gathered in the city for the festival of Pentecost. As well as I know the story of Pentecost, it was not until I heard Peter’s life story told in this manner that I really experienced his character as an individual.
Peter was on fire for the Lord. And yet he was that way because of something that feels so deeply beyond his control. He was that way in a particular moment, one that fueled his ministry, but which was not necessarily his ongoing state. So, perhaps the question is, what lights you up? And then how do you carry that light, that fire?
It’s sort of like a kiln. The great fire sweeps in, firing the clay and changing it. It can’t be changed back, but the clay will cool. For most of us, being on fire for God may be more like this. The one great experience of being set aflame and then the learning to live with how that fire has changed us. You can’t undo what happens to a clay pot in the kiln and you cannot make a heart that has been set on fire by the Holy Spirit turn away from God or neighbor.
A Prayer
God the Potter, you shape us so that we might be vessels of your grace. This Pentecost, pour your Holy Spirit upon us that we may be like pots in a kiln: strengthened and refined, capable of holding within us the greatness of your word. And, in this time, may our hearts be set on fire like the Sacred Heart of Jesus, that we may express that same unbounded love, living out the message of your greatest commandment. In unity with you, Father, Son, & Holy Spirit, all present and transforming God, Amen.
Resource Round-Up
If I didn’t have anything much to offer last week, this week useful recommendations came flooding in! Here’s what’s new –
I am loving Sacred Roots’ work on playful, simple ways to articulate clear family values rooted in God’s love. Their PLAYlists are simple collections of prayers, songs, stories, and hands-on practices that focus on caregivers muddling through those exhausting early days with children ages 0-3, but they’ll translate to older kids as well. I think their Three Simple Truths PLAYlist is a great place to start.
GenOn Ministries is sharing daily inspiration for family faith practices on their social media. They’re brief three-part posts: Prayer-Wonder-Activity that help us live into faith together.
Most of you are undoubtedly already on the Meredith Miller train (and if you’re somehow here but aren’t reading Meredith’s work, I sure have questions!), but her Kids, Faith, & Affirming Theology work is back for Pride Month. I think one of the most powerful things we can do as Christians is to describe how we’ve been transformed in ways that allow us to better extend God’s welcome, so even if this feels like second nature, hearing someone describe their own encounter with God’s radical grace is worth doing.
Priya Parker’s The Art of Gathering has been a hit with a lot of church communities and leaders, and she recently brought her wisdom to NPR’s Life Kit, describing the connecting power of Magical Questions. Magical Questions have a lot in common with practices like Story Sharing (different from Storytelling) and finding questions that excite and engage across difference is such an essential part of our work. What kinds of Magical Questions might you ask at coffee hour?
Staying on the audio theme, Godly Play has got some stellar podcast episodes this month. The practitioner podcast is with Laura Alary of the beloved Circle of Wonder series, while Mess Makes Meaning is tackling a topic that plagues many of us – kids and sports and what it means to be a healthy sports parent.
That should do it for this week!
May you delight in the festivities of Pentecost with your community. My big plan: campfire compline complete with s’mores!
Peace,
Bird