Whitsunday
Sunday, June 04, 2006
Today is Whitsunday, the Feast of Pentecost, the
“birthday of the Church,” when, as we read in the Lesson
from Acts, Chapter 2, the Holy Spirit pours forth upon the awaiting
Church as the Holy Spirit filled the Apostles...
On the day of Pentecost the apostles were gathered together, probably simply trying to figure out “what's next?” Suddenly a flame, an epiphany, the truth rested upon their shoulders and they began to speak under the influence of the Holy Spirit. As they spoke, everyone listening heard it in their own native language. And what was being told, for the first time and in full form, was the good news of Christ’s mission and what it means for all people. But more than mere words, the message was carried with the clarity, power and authority by the Holy Spirit into the ears and the hearts of all those who would listen. With this complete message, an empowered mission and a unity that came from beyond themselves, they had become the Church; an entity that would eventually be measured in billions. The difference? The arrival of the Holy Spirit in force, to join them together into a union.
Pentecost occurs 50 days after Easter (Pentecost is Greek for “Fiftieth Day”) and is one of the three great festivals of the church year; the others being Christmas and Easter. In the Western Christian (especially Anglican) tradition, Pentecost is known as Whitsunday. The reason for this name is unclear, but probably comes from “White Sunday” referring to the practice of baptizing on the Sunday of Pentecost (in our English tradition folks were baptized on Easter, Pentecost, and All Saints Day).
On the day of Pentecost the apostles were gathered together, probably simply trying to figure out “what's next?” Suddenly a flame, an epiphany, the truth rested upon their shoulders and they began to speak under the influence of the Holy Spirit. As they spoke, everyone listening heard it in their own native language. And what was being told, for the first time and in full form, was the good news of Christ’s mission and what it means for all people. But more than mere words, the message was carried with the clarity, power and authority by the Holy Spirit into the ears and the hearts of all those who would listen. With this complete message, an empowered mission and a unity that came from beyond themselves, they had become the Church; an entity that would eventually be measured in billions. The difference? The arrival of the Holy Spirit in force, to join them together into a union.
Pentecost occurs 50 days after Easter (Pentecost is Greek for “Fiftieth Day”) and is one of the three great festivals of the church year; the others being Christmas and Easter. In the Western Christian (especially Anglican) tradition, Pentecost is known as Whitsunday. The reason for this name is unclear, but probably comes from “White Sunday” referring to the practice of baptizing on the Sunday of Pentecost (in our English tradition folks were baptized on Easter, Pentecost, and All Saints Day).