Coronavirus Reflection No 11

One thing which we as a family are looking forward to when lockdown eases is celebrating the birthdays which have occurred since the end of March. In my family we have those of two daughters and a son-in-law and, if things haven’t moved on by June 20th, my husband’s. Celebrating virtually is better than nothing, but when we can meet together properly we plan to have quite a party!!

Tomorrow, fifty days after Easter when we celebrate Pentecost, or Whitsun as it used to be known, is often thought of as being the birthday of the Church and traditionally it has been an occasion to party! The following day was a bank holiday, replaced from 1972 by the Spring Bank Holiday, and in villages and towns all over the land there would be processions with bands, girls dressed in white, morris dancing, fetes and Whit fairs etc.

At Pentecost we commemorate the coming of the Holy Spirit on Jesus’ disciples, following his death, resurrection and ascension. The Bible describes how the disciples were together in Jerusalem when ‘suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind … Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them … All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit …’ (Acts 2) This gave the disciples the courage to go out and preach and the Church was born. Since then millions of people have received the gift and found the courage and inspiration to go out, plant churches, build hospitals, establish schools, all in the name of Jesus.

Until Pentecost Jesus could only be present in one place at any time but by sending the Holy Spirit he can now be present with everyone, anywhere. Jesus says simply; ‘Ask and it will be given to you …’ (Matt 7:7)

God bless

Revd Sue