from Basil the Great:
Therefore, the common director of our lives, the great teacher, the Spirit of truth, wisely and cleverly sets forth the rewards, in order that, rising above the present labors, we might press on in the spirit toward the enjoyment of eternal blessings.
“Blessed is the man who has not walked in the counsel of the ungodly.”
What is most truly good, therefore is principally and primarily the most blessed. And that is God…. For truly blessed is goodness itself toward which all things look, which all things desire, an unchangeable nature, lordly dignity, calm existence; a happy way of life, in which there is no alteration, which no change touches; a flowing fount, abundant grace, inexhaustible treasure. (Homilies on Psalms, 10:3)

Disciples not yet apostles, followers not yet the Church sit expecting, waiting, and praying.
What silent requests, what mumbled musings might they utter? Every shift or breeze raises hairs and quiets lips. (Acts 1:12-14)
Some slept, others prayed, some recalled Jesus’ words or dwelt on prophets promises.
“Here am I.”  …  “Here am I” is a good prayer.  A good prayer for waiting.

“Here am I” was Mary’s prayer as God’s Angel announced her nine-month anticipation. “May it happen as you said,” a shaky confidence awaiting the anointed one’s birth. (Lk 1:38)
“Here am I,” Isaiah’s prayer as God’s glory filled the temple and his holiness rang from heaven. “Send me” he screamed and a long deafness eclipsed ears as hardness shriveled hearts. (Is 6:8-10)
“Here am I” was Samuel’s prayer as God’s whisper awoke his slumber. “Speak. I am listening” stammered a boy, holding God’s secrets, aging to become final judge to anoint a great king.
“Here am I,” Moses’ prayer at a flaming bush. “Here am I,” Abraham’s prayer before Moriah’s sacrifice. “Here am I” is a good prayer. A prayer of waiting. A prayer of faith. (1Sm 3:4-11, Ex 3:4, Gen 22:1)

But “I am hiding” was Adam’s prayer when God called. It feels a more natural prayer for me. It’s my first prayer when God seeks me out.  I am hiding. I am hiding and I am ashamed. Waiting for God, leaves rustling, steps approaching, I am exposed. I am exposed and ashamed. (Gen 3:8-11)

“I am here!” Jesus’ thundering words knocked back the soldiers demanding his arrest. (Jn 18:4-6)
“Here I am” echoed David’s psalm,
“Here I am, I have come. It is written about me in the scroll.
I do not hide your righteousness in my heart.
I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness.” (Ps 40:6-10)
“Here am I, I have come to do your will” an early apostle remarked. “And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Heb 10:9,10)

Suddenly God’s closeness is sensed, but I am clothed with Jesus’ robe
and I pray “Here am I.” (Rom 13:14)
Quietly his Spirit rises, I am not ashamed of Christ. I think more on him,
less about myself. (Gal 2:20)
“Here am I” we pray as prepared patience becomes the roux of obedience. (Jas 1:2-4,22-25)
“Here am I” we whisper cusping our ears until the lover of our souls speaks. (Ps 103)
“Here am I” we tremble. God’s presence, God’s direction, God’s mission.  (Acts 2:1-4, Jn 14:25-27, 20:21,22)

Waiting for Pentecost – A Reflection By Pastor Chris
(Bulletin – First Free Brooklyn, 4/10/2016)
On the morning I wrote this, I had read: all worship is a preparation for being in God’s presence. Is that true? I wonder what it felt like to wait with the disciples for the Holy Spirit (aka Pentecost)? Did it feel like preparation? Did they know what they were waiting for… really? (Acts 2)
The above is my short reflection on this idea…

These are most or all of the quotes I used in Sunday’s sermon.  The entire (although atypically short) sermon can be found on the church website here: firstfreebrooklyn.org/sermons)

“People have an idea that the preacher is an actor on a stage and they are the critics, blaming or praising him. What they don’t know is that they are the actors on the stage; he (the preacher) is merely the prompter standing in the wings, reminding them of their lost lines.” ― Søren Kierkegaard

…when finally the string him up, they do it for the wrong reasons and string him up as a nationalist revolutionary when the only revolution he is after is a revolution of the human heart and his concern is ultimately for all nations. – F. Buechner

You tried to drown your sorrows
You shouldn’t have taught them how to swim
And now you are right back where you began
– John Craigie

The deepest motive for mission is simply the desire to be with Jesus where he is, on the frontier between the reign of God and the usurped dominion of the devil.” – Lesslie Newbigin

Why did it come about that the cinema really is often more interesting, more exciting, more human and gripping than the church? – D.Bonhoeffer

Jesus, our only hope, appeared from obscurity, poverty, occupation. His crown was suffering. His royal courts were roadside leper colonies and lake-side hungry-peasant gatherings. He created pulsars, black holes, molecules of mater, and holds together the fabric of time, AND he gave himself to buy what he refused to demand.  Your affection, your filial devotion, your heart.  He woos your will from hurt, pain, and selfishness.   He stands with you in each decision to step toward God, to step away from wickedness, to be eager to do what is good.  Jesus, our only hope, will appear soon and grant us the completion of what he’s begun in us. – C. Hooper

The only thing Jesus is recorded to have written was in the dirt.