Celebrating Pentecost

By Rev. Dr Katherine Rainger, Senior Chaplain

Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations brought people together with profound joy and a sense of connection. Once again, I was amazed at the skills of those who work in the creative arts and event management industries, as the multi-sensory spectacular in front of Buckingham Palace came to life. Other highlights included the very sweet conversation with Paddington Bear and the Queen’s interview with the Australians of the Year.

These celebrations broke down barriers between people. People from different ages and backgrounds lined the streets or watched at home.

On Sunday, Christians around the world celebrated Pentecost, a festival that takes place 50 days after Easter Sunday. The seven weeks of Easter are a chance for us to dwell deeply in the accounts of the appearance of the resurrected Jesus to Mary Magdalene, Thomas, the disciples, and to a large crowd. When Jesus ascends to heaven, the disciples are left to wait for the Holy Spirit that Jesus has promised He will send. On the day of Pentecost, the waiting is over. The Spirit comes to them with power and presence.

There is a sense of mystery that surrounds these events. We can imagine the earth and heaven as completely different spheres; however, the Christian faith encourages us to see a world where the edges between heaven and earth are blurred. God is present at creation, God is present in human life throughout the ages, and God is present in the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus.

With the coming of the Holy Spirit, God’s presence is felt and recognised, as barriers are broken down and people from different places understand each other and share a common life of prayer, worship, teaching and giving.

The Holy Spirit empowers and enables us to follow Jesus, to share the love of God and to pray and act for the abundant life that Jesus promised to be known near and far. A great example of this is Anglican Board of Mission’s Pentecost Appeal which will help churches expand sanitation and clean water projects in Myanmar and maternal and child healthcare in Gaza, Palestine.

In Godly Play, the biblical storytelling program used with PreK-Year 2 students, we talk about the changing of the light. As a candle is extinguished, smoke fills the space. The light that has come into the world in Jesus that was in one time and place, is now, through the ascension of Christ and the coming of the Holy Spirit in every place.

May God’s power and presence be with you this week,Rev. Katherine

The Love of the Faithful Creator
By Kate McIlhagga

The love of the faithful Creator
The peace of the wounded Healer
The joy of the challenging Spirit
The hope of the Three in One
surround and encourage you
today, tonight and forever.