We Carry the Flame

Readings available here

“And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.  

Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.” 

When I shared this story with the day school kids on Wednesday, the first question out of their mouth was,  

• “Why is there fire on the disciples’ heads?” 
• And in that moment, I realized I didn’t actually know. 

The only answer I could come up with was that fire is a symbol for the Holy Spirit. 

• It’s, presumably, related to other stories about the presence of God, like when God speaks to Moses through the burning bush. 

But that doesn’t really answer the question, does it? 

• The question still remains, “Why fire?” 

— 

To answer the question, I really needed to know more about fire. So I got to researching… 

Here are a few things I learned: 

First, fire is more than its visible flame.  

Fire occurs when something is ignited by intense heat and combines with oxygen.   This creates combustion, which produces heat and light.  

The visible effect of this chemical process is the flame.  But beyond our sight, fire emits the same kind of radiation as the human body. 

In other words, the transformation of elements that we call fire is both a visible and invisible process. 

Second, though fire is often associated with destruction, it is vital to the flourishing of ecosystems. 

Fire actually creates micro-habitats within the same landscape, as different life forms adapt to different stages of wildfire life-cycle.

One really cool example of this is the fire chaser beetle,  which can detect infrared radiation from forest fires more than 80 miles away.  It lays its eggs on charred wood, which makes nutritious food for its larvae. 

Because different plants and animals are adapted to phases of fire, recovery, or re-growth,  fire actually makes room for a greater diversity of creatures to thrive within the same landscape. 

And third, fire is an extremely powerful tool. 

On the positive side, fire’s ability to cook our food, keep us warm, and stave off predators, makes it responsible for human civilization as we know it.  On the negative side, fire has been used to commit horrific violence. 

Whether used for good or for ill, fire gives humans access to power beyond ourselves. 

— 

With all of that in our minds, maybe we can get back to that question:  

Why is there fire on the disciples’ heads? 

Well, our scripture readings for today show us that fire and the Holy Spirit share some common traits: 

• They spur both invisible and visible transformation. 
• They make room for greater diversity. 
• They give humans access to power beyond ourselves. 

The Holy Spirit truly is the FIRE of the incarnate God, a living flame that never stops burning. It touches people and ignites a spark – we can’t help but be changed. 

When we are attuned to the Spirit, everything feels like it could combust at any moment.  There is palpable energy in the room. 

When we feel the Spirit moving, we sense the possibility for peace and harmony among people who have nothing in common. 

When we look for the Spirit, we are swept up in the beauty and pain of life as God sees it. We see the truth of things so that we can be transformed. 

And when we call on the Spirit, we receive the power of Christ that is now let loose in the world and coursing through our bodies. 

No, I’m not a Pentecostal. But I believe the Spirit moves.  

I believe this, because I have seen, heard, felt, and sobbed the Holy Spirit.  

In this last month of baptisms, I have witnessed the Spirit spur us to clapping and dancing and laughter. 

In moments of sadness and anxiety, I have connected heart-to-heart with the Spirit of God in you. 

I have gotten the goosebumps of the Spirit when I have suddenly noticed beauty in the cracked and broken things. 

— 

The Holy Spirit landed like fire on those first disciples. And the combustion still hasn’t stopped. 

One thousand, nine hundred, and ninety years ago, the Holy Spirit came in like a wildfire and cast the anxious disciples out into the busy streets, where they suddenly stood up straight and started preaching! 

And we stand here today, in 2023, in Houston, Texas, because that wildfire of the Holy Spirit could not be contained. 

Church, you are the evidence that the Spirit moves in our midst. 

• Because you are the descendants of those who left the upper room, and started testifying in the street.  
• You are here today because the Spirit of the Living God caught the world on fire.  
• You have been empowered by Christ to transform, welcome, and empower all of creation to live for the joy and peace of His kingdom! 

— 

Ok, I have one last story: 

A few weeks ago, the altar party noticed that the top of the Paschal Candle had burnt to a crisp.  

The fire, normally contained in the wick, had attempted to spread.  It managed to scorch the top of the plastic pillar.  It is lit today only by the grace of God, and the persistence of our sexton, Mario. 

I keep thinking that maybe the paschal candle was trying to remind us that the fire of Christ can no longer be contained. 

On the day of Pentecost, when the fire of Christ engulfed the world, the church became the church. We no longer need the paschal candle to remind us that Christ is in the world.  

(Extinguish candle.) 

Because we are in the world. And the Spirit of Christ is in us. In other words, we are the fire. 

What would it be like if we really acted like people with fire on our heads? 

I think we would run toward the darkness of this world knowing: 

• We carry the flame.  
• We enlighten the truth.  
• We radiate good news. 
• We ignite the movement.  
• We love with the all-consuming love of God. 

The church is alive! The Kingdom of God is here! Combustion and transformation keep happening! 

Church, it’s time to set the world on fire. Amen.