Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language?”
– Acts 2:7
My son likes to watch the Wild Kratts on PBS. Chris and Martin Kratt begin each episode of this nature show with a live-action introduction to a wild animal or ecosystem. Marveling at some unique and impressive “creature powers” they’ve found, they then crouch down, hands out, in an excited pose and shout in unison: “What if!”
In the show, this phrase transports them to an alternate cartoon reality, in which they’re able to take on these same creature adaptations; they inevitably use them to save other creatures from catastrophe (usually perpetuated by greedy humans). Every time, it begins with the same imaginative phrase that makes another world possible: what if.
What if! Our Pentecost story dares us to believe that impossible things can come to be, by the power of God’s Holy Spirit. On that original day of Pentecost, the disciples were given the gift of speaking the good news and being understood. The diverse crowd in Jerusalem were given the gift of hearing, each of them perceiving what was said as if it were in their own native language. This whole miracle happens by the gifting of the Holy Spirit. It does not come because the people had chosen the best political strategy or because they were so smart to figure out all the answers. It comes by divine gift.
As we pray in preparation for General Conference, and as I and other participants board planes and head to St Louis today, I want to remind myself and you that this is true of many things. That God loves us, that God calls us all to ministry together, that we are united in the Body of Christ—all these things are already true by the grace of God.
The questions before us are about how we will respond—how we will attempt to better order and structure the United Methodist Church in this moment in time, in the communities throughout the world where the church is present. I feel the difficulty we face in truly hearing and understanding one another, across diversities of language, culture, theology and worldview. I weep at the pain still coming to the surface as we navigate complicated realities. I pray that we will take steps toward overcoming racism and sexism, homophobia and colonialism; may our conversations acknowledge our participation in harm toward one another. May we find ways to offer grace and care to one another.
As we recall the story of Pentecost, though, I invite us also to trust in the hope of God’s “What if!” What if we were all able to hear and be heard? What if were able to love like God loves? What if we were each set free to preach the good news with our whole being?
I have good news: You don’t have to wait for the outcome of any votes in St Louis to begin this work. We get to live out our faith, trusting that the God of all creation is speaking into our world still. Whatever happens, God’s still at work with us all, healing us, freeing us, and helping us become the church we are called to be.
God of Pentecost, help us hear and be heard. Enable us to dare to believe the good news you are making possible. Amen.
Rev. Molly Vetter
Pastor, Redondo Beach First UMC
Reserve Delegate to General Conference
