Reflections...

A sermon preached at Kowloon Union Church on Sunday 11th May 2008 by Ms. Phyllis Wong. The scripture readings that day were Psalm 104:24-34 and Act 2:1-21.


Today is Pentecost. ‘Pente’ means fifty. Pentecost was originally an Old Testament festival, on the fiftieth day after the beginning of Passover. In the Christian calendar, it falls on the fiftieth day after Easter. According to Acts, at Pentecost, the Spirit showers down upon the disciples, signifying the birth of the Christian Church and salvation for all in Jesus Christ. With the power of the Holy Spirit, the Church works as agent to bring a new heaven and a new earth.

Spirit in both the Greek word pneuma and the Hebrew word ruach, for which ‘wind’ is a common translation. The wind blows wherever it likes and is out of human control. However, the mystery of the spirit is a promise of God to the disciples after Jesus’ departure from earth. The Holy Spirit is the divine presence of God to give guidance and strength to the disciples so that they are empowered to witness the Lord Jesus Christ.

In Act 2:1-11, when the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit, they began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. Thus, the Holy Spirit is able to empower the community of faith to overcome cultural and psychological barriers by breaking down the language differences. When the disciples spoke the languages of the devout Jews from different nations, they do not only make a breakthrough of languages, but they were able to break the barrier between ‘us’ and ‘them’. When we speak the same language we belong to the same group. (同聲同氣) It helps to build up the cohesiveness amongst the group. The removal of language barrier in a way is an important indication of mutuality. Mutuality is an important element for unity in the faith community

KUC is an international and ecumenical church. This church is unique in that we have members and friends from very diverse cultural backgrounds and traditions. English is our common media of communication. Interestingly, with a rough estimation, over 2/3 of the members and friends who come to our worship and church programs, their first language is not English. In addition, even we communicate in English, since people are coming from different countries, the styles we speak could be different. We can therefore understand that to communicate in a second language other than our own mother tongue would require extra efforts on both parties. Under such circumstances, what entails effective communication and good understanding, patience, acceptance, sensitivity and respect of cultural differences and potential limitations in communicating are all important during the interactive process. The challenge for a church with people of diverse backgrounds is how to address differences when differences are part of life. “Unity embracing diversity” is an important practice of faith in the Christian community. Of course, unity does not mean uniformity. In Acts, the author Luke, has expressed his theology of the church grounded on embracing the diversities of the Christian community. It is through the Holy Spirit that binds believers together in the body of Christ. It is when the Holy Spirit takes charge instead of human beings are we able to overcome differences and potential conflicts, and to focus ourselves to the Lord. In general, I am pleased to experience a high level of acceptance and inclusiveness in KUC. I trust that it is the work of the Holy Spirit and efforts of many to make such an open and inclusiveness realized in the church. Do you agree with me?

A former staff of the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) shared with me about CCA where people working there are conscious that many Asians who join their programs do not speak English as their first language. Therefore the colleagues in CCA are conscious of their pace and use of words in communicating when English is used in order to facilitate clearer communication and mutual understanding. I am impressed by their considerate attitude and appreciate their sensitivity and sincerity to communicate with people from different cultural and language backgrounds.

Holy Spirit is able to break the language barriers by fostering a willing heart to communicate and unite people of different backgrounds. In Acts 2:11, it stated that the disciples were empowered to speak about God’s deeds of power. Whenever we speak for the sake of God, we will be given ability. We will then fear no more. Language as a result should not be a barrier that deters anyone of us to fully participate and serve in the congregation and God’s kingdom. Whenever we have a willing heart to serve and to witness God’s deeds of power, the Holy Spirit will empower us to do so, our ancestors of faith had given us their amazing witnesses.

When a person speaks a language that is not familiar to him or her, that person has to be open, to empty oneself and has to be ready to be filled by the Spirit of God to do something new and amazing. Imagine if a person insists that he or she cannot say or do this and that, then Holy Spirit cannot freely work in him or her. Empting oneself and in obedience of the Holy Spirit is equally important when we commit ourselves to be witnesses of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In Acts 2:13, there were some people among the crowd sneering at the disciples’ strange way of speaking their languages. This time, Peter stood up and spoke with courage. Peter, Jesus’ closest disciple, the one who once denied Jesus three times after Jesus was arrested because he was so frightened (Mk 14:66-72). At this moment of time, when the Holy Spirit poured upon him, he changed radically and was in full power to witness Jesus Christ the Lord. He addressed the challenge of the crowd publicly, and spoke with wisdom and power.

In Acts 2, Peter quoted the prophet Joel (2:28-29) in his speech. “Then afterward I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesize, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even for the male and female slaves, in those days, I will pour out my spirit.” In Acts, the inclusive intent of the event is made explicit, men and women, young and old, slave and the free will now share in the access to the message from God given through the Spirit. The power of the Holy Spirit goes to anyone of us, no matter who we are, irrespective of gender, age and social-economic status. In our society, people are categorized with hierarchy and social status. But in God, everyone is equal and entitled to serve and have dreams.

When the Holy Spirit pours upon people, they will become the instrument of divine communication to the human race. This capacity is available to all humanity when the Spirit comes upon them. This implies all believers are treated as equal and given the rights to serve and make a difference for God. The words of God through the Holy Spirit enlighten the commitment in our own life to God.

When believers doubt themselves because of their age, qualifications, ability and experience in serving God, the message of Peter quoted from Joel told us that all these concerns should not be a problem at all when we are called by the Holy Spirit to serve the Lord and call his name. Certainly, God will give us different spiritual gifts to fulfill his Kingdom.
The sanctuary color for Pentecost Sunday is red. Red symbolizes the fire of Pentecost as well as the apostles and early followers of Jesus who were gathered in the Upper Room for the empowerment from God to proclaim the Gospel throughout the world. When we are committed to God’s calling and vision, God’s power will be with us. The Holy Spirit will be fully present in our life and will help us to go into the inner life of God.

For Christians, Pentecost Sunday is a day to celebrate hope, a hope evoked by the knowledge that God through His Holy Spirit is at work among His people. It is a celebration of newness, of recreation, of renewal of purpose, mission, and calling as God’s people. It is a celebration of God’s ongoing work in the world. Yet, it is also a recognition that His work is done through His people as He pours out His presence upon them. The Pentecost today indicates the birth of the Church to work, to duplicate the work of Christ in this world.

There’s a Chinese saying, ‘a good start is already half way to success’. At the beginning of the Christian year that symbolizes our earthly work of Christ, let’s be united and empowered through the Holy Spirit, by using our gifts and work together and engage in the mission of God.