This week we celebrate the Day of Pentecost, and we do so within the context of Pride Month. The two are extremely well connected!
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Christianity emerged as type of Judaism that accepted Jesus as the Messiah. One of the differences in early Christianity was the understanding that all people may be equally part of the Body Of Christ, the Church. In the Book of Acts we read of how the then Jewish-Christian community in Jerusalem decided that non-Jewish people could be in the Church, and that the new Gentile Christians did not need to live by ritual dietary rules. It may seem surprising to us that this was even discussed, but it was a real debate.
That was the first letting down of the bars of participation in the Church. But it kept going. In his letter to the Galatians, the Apostle Paul wrote that in baptism there is "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” This was radical in that day, and the point was that earthly distinctions did not matter when it came to the Christian community. Indeed, there are early historical indications that women exercised many types of leadership roles, including hosting and presiding at eucharistic meals where they were the head of the household.
But also early on, and especially once Christianity was the official religion of the Roman Empire, thus becoming part of the ruling class, the old patriarchy took over.
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Beginning in the 1970’s a renewed appreciation for the diversity of people in the church began to affect the Episcopal Church. It is astounding for me to realize that women were not allowed to be members of the General Convention of the Episcopal Church until 1970! Not ironically, in 1976, only six years later the General Convention approved of the ordination of women to all orders in the Episcopal Church.
Also in 1976, the General Convention adopted resolutions stating that “homosexual persons are children of God who have a full and equal claim with all other persons upon the love, acceptance, and pastoral concern and care of the Church”, and that they “are entitled to equal protection of the laws with all other citizens.”
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The Holy Spirit is in all people. The Acts of the Apostles says in this week’s reading, "In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh.” ALL flesh; not just Jews, not just men, not just free people, not just white people, not just straight people. ALL PEOPLE.
Pentecost is the celebration of God’s unifying Holy Spirit!
I suggest that this Sunday everyone wear something red for Pentecost, and/or wear rainbows for Pride Month. They all mean the same thing!
As Paul says in his letter to the Romans, "All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God."
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The Rev. Dr. Tom Luck, Vicar