Faithful Living - The Rev. Martie Johnson
On Pentecost Sunday, the Church’s birthday, we celebrated the Holy Spirit’s coming to Jesus’ disciples in a rush of wind and fire. On Trinity Sunday, we honored the three persons of God: God the Father, the creator; Jesus, our heart and savior; and the Holy Spirit, our ever-present companion. I have always thought of the Holy Spirit as an inner voice that says, “No, no, no, you know that is not what you are supposed to do!” Not necessarily a spiritual nag, but more of a Divine motivator.
We are now in the Season of Pentecost, the Church's longest season, which lasts nearly six months. Other traditions call it "Ordinary Time," but if we listen carefully to each Sunday's gospel, we discover that this time is anything but ordinary.
To understand this season, it helps to place it within the story of our faith. During Advent, we wait in hope for the Messiah's coming. We hear of Mary's courageous "yes" to God and celebrate Jesus' birth. During Lent, we come to know Jesus more deeply and understand what He came to accomplish. He did not come to be served but to serve. He was a king who willingly rejected earthly power and embraced humility. During Holy Week, we walk with Him through His suffering and death. Then, from Easter through Trinity Sunday, we rejoice in the risen Lord, Jesus Christ, and His victory over death.
Now, during the Season of Pentecost, our attention turns to Jesus and His earthly ministry. The Gospels show us how He lived, loved those who felt unlovable, cared for those who suffered, and offered divine hope to everyone.
Today, we hear how Jesus lived out that mission and addressed the needs of the future. When Jesus saw the crowds suffering from the world's ignorance, He had compassion for them because they were like “sheep without a shepherd.” He knew He had to prepare others to spread the Good News while He was with them and especially after He was gone. He gave His apostles the tools they needed to begin their ministry and urged them to pray and strengthen their relationship with the Father.
Let us reflect on our lives this Pentecost. We know we were chosen by God because we have received the gift of life. We are here because God loves us and calls us by name. Therefore, it is our turn to embrace our divine mission. The Good News of Jesus Christ is at the heart of the Christian life. Sharing His message with the world is not only our duty but also our privilege. To live as His followers, we must keep His teachings central to everything we do. Discipleship calls us to have faith, courage, compassion, and unwavering trust in God.
Each day, we have opportunities to become more Christlike through acts of kindness, tender words of encouragement, and the practice of forgiveness. Our lives must be filled with love, not just achievements; forgiveness, not just tolerance; and compassionate works, not just empty pity.
Jesus warns that this ministry will not be easy, as we may face resistance and hardship in a world that does not always welcome the Gospel. “I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves” reminds us that our journey requires gentleness and perseverance in the face of adversity. Why are we afraid to lift our voices when we witness injustice? Why are we silent when the words of Christ and the Bible are twisted, taken out of context, and misinterpreted? As faithful followers of Jesus Christ, we cannot allow evil to gain a foothold. When we worry about what people will say about us or how we will be judged, just remember they did nail Jesus to a cross.
Our personal mission may not always be clear to us. One person can change the world’s thinking through words and actions, while another can affect only one person. Yet both are equally valuable. Remember, the Good Shepherd left the 99 to seek the one lost sheep.
We know only a fraction of Jesus' life. We do not know everyone He encountered, the others He healed, or the other sermons He preached. But what we do know is that we must imitate His kindness, acceptance, care, and His courage. We will succeed and we will fail. And that is okay.
If we strive to reflect these traits in our lives, our loving God will one day greet us with these wonderful words: "Well done, my good and faithful servant."
Amen.
