Pentecost 2021

Lectionary: 63

As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit.

 

Human language fails as words flail about to describe the mystery of Pentecost: spirit, wind, fire, water, oil, dove, anointing, life, breath, energy, strength, teamwork, esprit de corps, sap, and so forth. As the body without breath so is the Church without the Holy Spirit.

In the passage above, Saint Paul insists upon the unity of the church which comprises all kinds of people, “Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons.” By the middle of the second century the Church had spread throughout the Roman Empire despite the best efforts of the Roman government. Amid controversy she first claimed the virtue and then the title of Catholic. No heretical sect could make the same claim since their members were invariably a select few, usually of one city or country. While they universally agreed that everyone else is wrong, the Catholic Church maintained a deep unity of doctrine in the face of opposition and martyrdom.

Twenty centuries later, the Catholic Church in the United States embraces Democrats and Republicans who -- so long as they don’t confuse politics and religion – can breathe one Spirit and meet around the Table of our Communion. 

As we celebrate the Holy Spirit and Pentecost Sunday, the so-called birthday of the Church, we should consider the Spirit's role in the Church and its role in the world. This is deep stuff and somewhat beyond my ken, but it's too important not to consider.

I've met more than a few devout men -- Catholics and Protestants -- who nonetheless retain a religious belief in their right to own guns. They don't seem to know that guns and the second amendment are not found in the Bible. Nor do they appreciate Catholic social teaching which says all rights are relative, and none are absolute. 

We should pray for and support legitimate civil authorities of every form of government -- be they communist, fascist, parliamentarian, or democratic. And we may sincerely believe that the Bill of Rights of the American Constitution is inspired by our Christian heritage.

 

But no one should confuse party loyalty with religion. Even a casual study of the history of either major American party shows how readily Democrats and Republicans change positions and flip ideologies for the sake of votes. If the Republican party supported the abolition of slavery, the "Party of Lincoln" doesn't necessarily support get out the vote efforts among African-Americans. And the same Democratic party that once supported Jim Crow segregation might throw today open the gates to welcome legal and illegal immigrants. 

Parties do what parties have to do to gain and retain power. They have no other fealty. Religious people who endorse a certain ethical program and would have their governments adopt them should use parties to gain those ends; and they should be prepared to compromise other moral principles as they do so. One can support, for instance, a party that opposes abortion and supports capital punishment if the former value seems worth the sacrifice of the latter. Or take an opposite position if the Spirit of God so leads them. But no one could accept all of the policies of either party without risking insanity. 

But sanity also requires us to study deeply, to accept, and to appreciate the doctrines and teachings of our Church. To say I disagree with a certain doctrine without examining closely its scriptural roots, theological principles, and historical development is foolish, at best; and might be dangerous. 

The Holy Spirit inspires, guides and instructs those who are willing to do the hard work of being inspired, guided, and instructed. Saint Paul never said it would be easy to create a church out of former slaves and former free persons.