April 2ndSpirit Acts
In preparation for the Mennonite Church Canada Gathering this summer, I have been immersed in the biblical story of Acts, and particularly the character arc of Peter. Through his eyes, I explore the dramatic movement of God’s spirit in him and in the church. It’s a remarkable journey in a few short chapters – from rutted old expectations (found below at Christ’s ascension) to a vision of a diverse and inter-cultural beloved community. Fortunately, against our initial impulses, Jesus does not sit in any one chair (or cheer for any one sports team!) but reigns over all, in all and through all – often beyond our limited imaginations.
The following scene from my drama Spirit Acts is a retelling of Christ’s ascension based on Acts 1:6. (For the remainder of the play, you will need to come to Kitchener in July 😊 or find the script at CommonWord after the Gathering.)
Peter (at Jesus’ ascension):
Jesus, what are you doing? Are you going somewhere?
Well, lately you’ve been very unpredictable.
(Pulls up a chair.)
Why don’t you take a seat? I can get you a coffee.
Well, then, let’s watch your favourite football team.
Just stop pacing. You’re making me nervous. Sit down. Thank you. I just don’t want you to disappear. Again.
Sure, I understand things have changed, since, ah, your resurrection. For the better, right? I mean, you’re alive! You’re not quite looking like yourself, but that’s ok. There are many advantages, you know, to, um, teleportation, and, ah, quazi intangibility.
Which has me figuring it’s probably time to, um, resume the itineration, don’t you think? According to my calendar, it’s been about 40 days …
(Silence.)
You are going somewhere, aren’t you?
Well, I hadn’t noticed your luggage before. Or that silly fanny pack you’re wearing …
Where are you going?
(Silence.)
If you can’t tell me, you’ve got to at least say why.
Well, I can’t imagine worse timing.
Jesus, you finally have everything in order, right? You’ve shown them healings, exorcisms, power over nature. You’ve moved from the backwaters of Galilee to Jerusalem. You’ve got the Leadership nervous. And, by God, you’ve risen from the dead!
Why are you leaving? There’s so much more potential this side of your resurrection.
And not just because there’s more people to feed or heal. That’s so, um, yesterday. With your divine power over death, we could finally rise, you know, and rule this land. End the occupation.
(Loudly, firmly) God, put down your bags!
Sorry. Sorry, but this is the time, Jesus. This is the time.
No? Then tell me what time it is!
(Aside)
We never got a chronological answer or timeline before his ascension. I guess that wasn’t up to us to know. We were simply to witness what was coming – in Jerusalem and across the Roman Empire. To wait, initially, for a spiritual baptism, a kairos experience of the Holy Spirit, a rush of wind, it turns out, that would spread the good news beyond boundaries and imaginations, and a wildfire that would generate many Pentecosts to come.