Epiphany 2 A + Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit + 1.18.26

 

M. Campbell-Langdell

All Santos, Oxnard

(Is. 49:1–7; Ps. 40:1–11; 1 Cor. 1:1–9; Jn. 1:29–42)

Ev’ry time I feel the Spirit moving in my heart, I will pray…

When have you felt the Spirit lately? Last week, my heart was heavy. Renee Nicole Good and other good people had been killed. It seemed our world was filled with danger and sorrow. And just being a person of goodwill wasn’t enough to protect you. Amid these feelings, I attended an event organized by a group of African-American churches in the area. It was to honor local folks doing good work in the community. But more than that, it was an expression of unity. The pastors said one by one how important it was to work together despite their differences. Theologically, I know they run the gamut. However, they were willing to come together for the sake of their community.
And through it all, there was a thread. Of gospel music. Music that raised the spirits and invited the Spirit in. Music that reminded us that, as many trials as we may go through, God is greater and God is stronger.

The Spirit is running amok in today’s Gospel reading. It seems to rest on John long enough for him to exhort the people to repentance and point to Jesus, then it rests on Jesus and stays. At the same time, it rests upon the disciples as they invite each other and are invited by Jesus to come and follow Him. This is a dynamic, spirited gospel, and it seems the Spirit is hard at work, constantly in motion. There is excitement, and yet the most ordinary of details. Where is Jesus staying? Such a human moment. And an interesting, as Dr. Carlson says, almost come-hither moment- “Come and see!” Is this a come-and-see so you know what you are getting into (one remembers Jesus was essentially couch surfing at this point)? Or is this 'Come and See' because you’re going to be so excited by the family I am building? I suspect it was a bit of both.

They felt the Spirit, yes, but what were they looking for? Jesus asks that straight away. Not fending them off, but because everyone who helps religious seekers knows that none of us has all the answers. Usually, the best answers are the ones people find for themselves. What are you looking for? What if we asked that question of ourselves every day? What would we find out? Our openness to the Spirit invites revelations.

One thing I am struck by in this passage is how the Spirit’s visit creates a kind of certainty. Andrew knows Jesus to be the Messiah. Do John’s words convince him? Maybe so, but as I imagine this scene, I see the Spirit touching his heart and giving him this certainty. In the same way, Jesus knows Peter before he gets to know him. Is this story foreshortened? Maybe they had a long chat that seemed superfluous to this account? Who knows. But almost immediately, Jesus appears to recognize Peter. He is Cephas, the rock. I’ve heard it pointed out that we don’t know what kind of rock he is at first. Is he the stumbling block, or the foundation stone? God empowers us and knows us, but we are the ones who decide how to use the gifts God has given us. Thankfully, it seems he lived up to his role as a cornerstone, but I bet it was not easy. I bet he stumbled at times, as we all do.

Speaking of stumbling, the prophet Isaiah appears to be prone to stumbling in the Hebrew Scripture passage from today. He has worked hard for a God who knew him from the womb, just like God knows all of us, and Jesus knew Peter. Nonetheless, he is losing heart. The Spirit seems to have gone out of him. Was it all in vain? He could be one of us in these past weeks, getting discouraged by the state of the world. But God says, not only have I not given up on you, but I am going to do amazing things through you. Things that don’t just serve the Jewish people, the Yahweh-followers, but also all the nations of the earth.
Even when we are at the bottom of our strength and feel the Spirit has gone out of us, are we open to this good news? Are we open to God saying, Stand up, try again, sing a song of praise, I have yet many good things to do in and through you? I will do things through you that are not just for you or for those you love, but even for those whom you may see as your enemies. Our God is an awesome God, no?

There is something in the passage from Corinthians today. A section that says I will give you what you need to endure to the end. Hold onto that. Know that these are difficult times. No one should deny that. But that our God is bigger than all of this. And that our God wishes good not only on those we deem to be just, but also hopes to bring grace to the unjust, to redeem and call all people back. For some people, I may be seen as among the unrighteous for my inclusive theology. But God is bigger than all of this, and wishes good for me and for all of God’s creation.

The Spirit is still at work here. We may need to work harder to see her dance amidst all that is happening in the world right now. However, it is in moments of dispiritedness that we remember the need for the Spirit. So let us not give up hope! Let us ask ourselves What are you looking for? And when we know that we seek God, and when we seek God, we will be touched, strengthened, and empowered by the Spirit, empowered for the good of all.  Amen.