Pentecost

The Harare International Festival of the Arts, was an explosion of joy. The dance, music, song and drama lifted up all those who could take part. In just five days an injection of energy raised the weary spirits of citizens and visitors alike. The army of organisers, stretching from committed individuals to companies and embassies, have done a marvellous job.

I hope it does not take from the spontaneity and joy of the moment to stand back and review what has happened. I am reading historian Terrence Ranger’s book, Writing Revolt, about the time in the late 1950s and early 60s when it was hoped that removing the “colour bar” in restaurants and bars, cinemas and swimming pools, would cascade into removing the same bar in parliament. As we know, it didn’t. While minor victories were won, those in power preferred – on the big issue – to turn their back on celebrating diversity and retreat into the familiar comfort of their own culture.

HIFA is many things. But one thing for sure is that it is a celebration of diversity. It included string quartets and wild dance, sombre drama and massed choirs. In biblical terms you could say ‘everyone was bewildered to hear these Galileans speaking something meaningful to each of them - be they Medes or Elamites, people from Judea and Asia, Egypt and Libya – “we hear them preaching in our own language about the marvels of God”’ (Acts 2:11).

The question is how do we carry these peak experiences into our daily life? Are such experiences as HIFA – or Pentecost – just a tonic for a moment? Or are they something that deeply grounds us in the reality they celebrate? Do we dance together one moment and in the next return to our indifference, or even hostility, to one another? Do we want experiences for a moment only or do we want lasting relationships?

Nearly everyone has had indescribable moments in which they have felt their mother’s love. They may not put it into words. They may not even think about it. But their lives show that they were transformed and built up by experiences such as the nurturing they received in their earliest years. Experiences blossom into abiding relationships but for this to happen there has to be a regular affirming of the relationship. It cannot be taken for granted.

So it is with God. Sometimes we have an experience of God’s presence. And sometimes we think that the important thing is to go on having these experiences. But relationships are not based on unending experiences any more than we need constant HIFAs to keep us happy. It is beautiful to see old couples sitting in a room together without a word passing between them. The relationship is deep; they have passed the stage of wanting endless experiences of it

19 May 2013               Pentecost .   

Acts 2:1-11                  Rom 8:8-17                  John 14:15-16, 23-26