Those who had gathered together asked Jesus, “Lord, are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel now?” 7 Jesus replied, “It isn’t for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has set by his own authority.” 8 Rather, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:6b-8)
Good Day Family,
The Aftermath of Pentecost
We are in the midst of the longest season in the Christian calendar or church year. The year begins with Advent, moves into Christmas and Epiphany. After a few weeks after Epiphany, we enter into Lent, followed by Easter. Then the Day of Pentecost comes, and the weeks that follow—for the rest of the year—are known as ordinary time. Many in Christian communities have adopted the term “After Pentecost” to mark this time. It is a time in which we celebrate and pay particular attention to the formation, building, and ongoing work of the Body of Christ in the world.
That’s what we call ordinary time. There are not particular religious feast days to commemorate like Christmas Day or Holy Week. Those days mark the ministry of Jesus on earth. These days are intended to remind us that that work continues through us. The church was formed to do that work. We are drawn into and remain in faith communities to serve God’s purposes and to labor in the vineyards in which we are placed. Jesus called us and commissioned us to be agents of God’s salvation, redemption, and restoration in the world.
We aren’t called to feel bad about the problems of this world or even to endure them. We are called, in the ways that we can, to change them. We have the power of the Holy Spirit at work within us and among us. Nothing is impossible. We can, like those early disciples, spread the good news. Most of all, we do this by being the good news. That God loves all people, intends the diversity of God’s children and creation, and desires reconciliation among humanity. We are the hands and feet---the body---bond together to do that work in the power of the Holy Spirit and with the joy of Jesus.
In the community of believers,
Be well,
Pastor Cheryl
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