Acts 2:1-21
1 Corinthians 12:3-13
John 20:19-23
Today is the first weekend of the easing of lockdown. The changes may be small, but it is a start! It was wonderful to see the carparks open again at Mugdock and to see Caulder’s and other garden centres open for business. What a glorious day too! We are enjoying some of the highest temperatures in the country!
It seems that the sun is truly shining on us as we prepare to celebrate Pentecost, the gift of God’s Holy Spirit to his people.
Pentecost or Whitsun as it is also known is a yearly celebration which we look forward to; it marks the end of the season of Easter and is often associated with the beginning of summer, half term and bank holidays. This year things are different and as a result the celebration of Whitsun is more precious and poignant than usual.
“Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit””. John 20:21-22
The risen Jesus breathed on his disciples, a sign that he was sharing his life, his energy and his love with them; as he did this he said “Receive the Holy Spirit”.
The very energy and life of God was being given to them; but no one can receive the spirit of God and remain unchanged. The disciples discovered they were able to speak in foreign tongues. They found a courage they had never known before in preaching the Good News. With the energy of God flowing through them they showed new life and growth in a way that, only weeks before, would have seemed like a dream. This new life of the Spirit had come to them when they were at their lowest ebb, shut away in a room, paralysed by fear, confused and disillusioned.
As we continue to face uncertain times, our prayer this Pentecost is that we may also receive afresh the gift of the Spirit; that it may enlighten and renew our souls, bringing us courage and hope. It is this Spirit which has sustained God’s people throughout many centuries especially in times of plague and war.
Today we celebrate this same Spirit.
Now that we are permitted to mix in a limited way, please let me know if you would like me to visit, albeit outside, socially distancing. I would be delighted to see any of you.
Tomorrow the Eucharist for Pentecost will be available at 11am online. http://www.scotland.anglican.org/broadcast-sunday-worship/ Alternatively, you can access it by going straight onto the Scottish Episcopal Church website.
I will look forward to joining you all again via YouTube on Thursday for our morning Eucharist for Pentecost/Whitsun.
My love and prayers to you all as always
Andrea