Pentecost Sunday

Where often only death and decay seem present, we see also the hope-inducing presence of God blowing new energy into our lives and places. The Spirit, the living memory of the Church, reminds us that we are born from a gift and that we grow by giving. Pentecost is a continuing event that dares us. It dares us to become a community of fire that keeps the flame of passion for God and the world that God loves, burning despite dark days and nights. Pentecost is not just a celebration of the birth of the church, but a celebration of being church. We celebrate that unseen, immeasurable presence of God in our lives, our world and church that animates us towards Gospel justice and mercy that we might bring God’s life and love to our broken world.

Feast of the Ascension

We are called to remember who we are and today we are being named ‘Theophilus’ <the lover of God> a title addressed to a variety of communities. Today’s feast can cause us to wrestle with our rational side. People have become impatient and even left the church because of a focus on ‘heaven up there’ which does not speak to the everyday lives of people. What we are called to is to see the world differently where God’s love comes together with love of neighbour and all creation. Ascension is not about Christ’s absence, but his presence everywhere. We are reminded that it is not just how Jesus is present in the world but our presence. We cannot separate his presence and our witness. 

Sixth Sunday of Easter

God is constantly enlarging the boundaries of love, and we are invited to adapt our lives to ever inclusive patterns of love. This is Jesus’ final message which also brims with words of affirmation: ‘You are my friends!’ Jesus’ discourse is about farewell, assurances, final instructions and promises – promises to remain with them. Jesus’ parting words summarise his words concerning our call to love the ‘other’ especially the most vulnerable. He is our point of reference – seeing the world with the eyes of God and it is less likely that our decisions will come out of greed, revenge, or prejudice and involve countering dominating and controlling structures that prevent people from experiencing life to the full. Keeping the commandments does not involve legalism but the heart, relationship, with the other and with God. we are taken on another direction. When love of neighbour is uppermost our relationship to neighbour, the excluded, the unheard takes on a different meaning.