Pentecost Sunday

‘Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful

and kindle in us the fire of your love.

Send forth your Spirit

and we shall be created,

and you shall renew the face of the earth.'

Please note that two gospel readings are proposed for today. These reflections will refer to both.

Today, in our celebration of Pentecost, despite death and destruction, famine and genocide, we dare to say that God can blow new energy into people and places. It is a moment in history that continually unravels itself within our lives.

On Mother's Day we seek to express love, appreciation, and gratitude to the role of women in our society, often unacknowledged, for their unconditional love, support and sacrifices towards others. As this is a time for celebration in many places it is necessary to remember that it began with women who sought to bring peace across borders and recognised the humanity of women and men impacted by war. As we take the opportunity to honour and celebrate the women who have profoundly impacted on our lives, we must face the truth of the great suffering that women undergo in our country and around the world where there is domestic violence, war, civil discord, famine, and poverty.

Feast of the Ascension

The scriptures begin with Theophilus being addressed whose name means the ‘lover of God’ of ‘beloved of God’.  It is addressed to all of us. Today’s feast, despite some views, is not about focusing on ‘heaven up there’ but on God’s presence everywhere and in everyone. By implication is not only about his presence but our presence. Jesus’ presence and our presence as witness cannot be separated. The disciples were assured ‘You will receive power’ – the power to love as Jesus loved; to be present with and be for the hungry, the naked, the powerless and homeless; the power to resist those who dominate, exploit and treat others unjustly; to give oneself for others; to persevere in the face of difficulty and opposition; and do things they never thought possible. This includes recognising a different agenda to the powers in the world.