Grace and Peace to you from God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Today we celebrate the Day of Pentecost.

Pentecost is the Greek word for fiftieth, historically an important feast between Passover and Tabernacles, later celebrating the renewal of the covenant God made with Noah.

In our first reading Luke gives additional meaning to the first Pentecost after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus.

The Oxford Companion to the bible says, “For Luke Acts 2 is the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise that his followers would receive power when the Holy Spirit would come upon them.”

Many also celebrate that the coming of the Holy Spirit is the beginning of the church.

We celebrate with praise and thanksgiving in shades of red.

Red is the liturgical color for Pentecost, which is a Sunday that commemorates the day the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles. Red is used to symbolize the Holy Spirit's presence, and to represent the fiery tongues that came down upon the Apostles when they received the Holy Spirit. Red is also the color of excitement, energy, power, and all things intense and passionate.

When I was younger I used to read comic books.

Stories filled with excitement and drama, heroes and villains, good over evil.

Comic books also had other exciting benefits.

If you remember them, usually on the inside back cover was a full page advertisement for all sorts of interesting toys and gadgets.

Perhaps you recall the thrill of purchasing and owning your own “Sea Monkeys?”

Fortunately, the prices were not too high, yet many of the things were unique that you could only buy from the comic book ad.

I did buy the sea monkey’s and they turned out not to be as advertised, merely brine shrimp that were hard to see and quite disappointing.

One item caught my attention and I knew that I had to have it.

I was always fascinated with boats and now I could have my own remote controlled speed boat.

The picture showed a sleek little power boat with an outboard motor, carving through the water.

Best of all it had a remote control so you could drive the boat anywhere and not lose it to wind our current.

I think I saved up for weeks, even though it was probably under $20 dollars, and it finally arrived.

Carefully taking the package to the kitchen table I could barely contain my excitement to see my new boat.

I unwrapped it and looked with wonder, imagining all of the expectations I had while waiting for it to arrive.

It looked just like the ad, and now it was mine.

But what was this extra cord in the package?

The picture didn’t show that there was anything attached to the boat.

Yet there I stood in disbelief, almost sick to my stomach.

Had I not read the ad correctly?

Sure enough my excitement got the better of me.

Even though the ad didn’t show that the control cable was connected to the boat, severely limiting its range, I should have known that this boat was that much less expensive than a “real” remote control boat.

I felt like I had been ripped off, duped by a comic book ad.

Moreover I had used hard earned money and was embarrassed by my decision.

Perhaps you have bought something that didn’t live up to your expectations or was poorly made?

While I did enjoy playing with the boat, I learned a lesson from that purchase.

“Buyer Beware”

Even with careful research and comparisons it can be difficult to get accurate and reliable information.

Think of all of the things that we can buy.

Moreover, add to that the reason why we buy them.

Self-help books, anti-aging creme, and lottery tickets just to name a few.

The world is telling us that we can fix-it ourselves, we won’t get old and die, and wealth will take care of everything.

Best of all we can buy this?

I wonder how many of these products didn’t do what they said, made us feel ashamed or worthless, and convinced us to buy just one more ticket?

Not so in John’s gospel for today.

John writes that what the world offers is nothing in comparison to eternal life with Jesus.

A life followed in mutual love. We need, I need the Holy Spirit in my life.

Jesus said, “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf.”

Jesus isn’t appealing to the disciples or us with a slick ad campaign.

Neither is he making promises that are only half-truths.

When we answer Jesus’ call to follow we walk in the light of truth.

The Holy Spirit that is dramatically described in the first reading brings followers together in unity, with one understandable voice.

But what does an advocate do, by defining the word advocate, we have been given a voice- ad(with) vocate(Voice).

We hear Jesus and Jesus hears us, ultimately God is with us, in us.

That dynamic connection is an amazing gift that Christians share.

Not only do we have a share in that we are with the spirit to go out and share.

Imagine standing in the sandals of the disciples, trying to understand the reality that Jesus is departing.

Jesus returning to God doesn't mean leaving us alone.

God never leaves us alone.

The joy of Jesus going to the father is the giving of the Spirit.

I take comfort in that relationship.

This relationship with the spirit serves three purposes.

“And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment…”

Our world doesn’t have to be ruled by us; give that control to God.

Sin, righteousness, and judgment.

Familiar words that are overturned with boundless support from the Spirit,

Sin is not simply a moral violation, but a turning away from Jesus, from God.

The advocate is an ever present first responder to your time of need, the pinnacle of decision making.

What would happen if we first turned toward God rather than pausing to think what the world is telling me to do?

Communication with the Spirit goes faster and more complete than a call to 911.

Telling the truth of Jesus is walking in love and forgiveness.

The spirit is listening, ready, and willing to help at all times.

Jesus encourages our belief and the advocate steps in to help others believe, even when we have that need.

Just as Abraham was considered righteous by his relationship with God this continues in the righteousness of Jesus going to the Father, fulfilling all that was taught.

Who of us doesn’t want to do the right thing and be righteous?

We too become righteous by following Jesus, by going out with warm hearts.

Hearts that love and seek relationships with our siblings in Christ, turning possible enemies into friends.

The third promise is about judgment.

Who am I to judge? Consequently, I catch myself, sometimes too late, judging others, putting myself above others, usually out of fear or insecurity.

That to me is turning away from Jesus, not trusting not supporting.

Look how Jesus was judged, even with the message of love.

Judged because the ruler of the world, satan- the evil one, the anti-christ has not been victorious.

Jesus was born, lived, was crucified, died. Only to rise and ascend to the Father. When that happened Jesus fulfilled the ongoing promise of eternal salvation.

Just as Jesus has glorified the father, we are heirs to Jesus and our glorification of the father.

“All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”

No strings attached to hold us back. We are free in the spirit of the Advocate who loves us and knows our heart.

Creation is a blessing for all of us, an invitation to learn and practice relationships based on love and honesty. For this we can say, thanks be to God. AMEN