Homily for Pentecost (on Confession)
John 20:19-23 (Matins Gospel); Acts 2:1-11; John 7:37-52; 8:12
Lots of powers associated with the Holy Spirit in scripture and popular culture.
- Handle Snakes
- Drink poison
- Languages
- Glowing with Light
But what use are those things?
- Snakes? Leave them alone or kill them
- Poison? Clean water and poison warnings
- Languages? Not a huge issue any more
- Glowing with Light? Electricity
No practical need for these things (except for a demonstration of God’s power).
God desires that all of us have joy; and that we be one in perfection as God is [one in perfection].
What is it that causes the most pain in life? Snakes? Poison? Darkness?
No: the thing that makes life so difficult ? and a living hell for many people ? is that we are messed up. We are messed up as individuals and when circumstances force us together, we are even more messed up in community. The existential angst of loneliness and societal dysfunction are a result of our brokenness as people and as a people.
God sees that. He knows our pain. He feels it more keenly than we do because he knows everyone’s pain that every has been, is, and will ever be.
And so He sent His His Son and the Holy Spirit to comfort and save us.
What is the super-power that the Holy Spirit gives us? Let me two fundamental powers that will make your life better and more joyful.
- Prophecy. Not the end days ? again, who cares? Does it solve any problems? No, the knowledge of your own brokenness (not the brokenness of others ? that’s too easy). Without that, the second power is meaningless.
- The forgiveness of sins. St. John; “Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Spirit: Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.”
- Our prayer about and invocation of the Holy Spirit affirms this as the primary power – “heal our infirmities”
- Why, out of all the powers God could have given his apostles ? could have given the Church ? would He focus on the power to forgive sins?
Because it is what we is truly necessary to bring an end to your pain and to the pain of the world’s pain and confusion.
Yes, Confession is the superpower. And it is always available for you to use here at St. Mary’s. Throw away the kryptonite of pride, exercise that power of the Holy Spirit through true repentance, and save the world.
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