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Some Thoughts on Pentecost

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Pentecost Sunday marks the end of Easter. Bosco Peters reminds us that, “Easter, Ascension, and Pentecost do not form three seasons. The Easter Season celebrates the three dimensions of the resurrection, ascension, and the sending of the Spirit. These fifty days, a seventh of the year, form our “great "Sunday" …. Just as Sunday is the first and the eighth day, so the great Sunday of the fifty days of Easter begins with the day of the resurrection and continues through eight Sundays, an octave of Sundays, a "week of weeks." [1]  It is also a turning point in our church year as we enter Ordinary Time where we are invited to stop and pay attention to the work of the Spirit in our lives and the world. Where do we look for this work? This Pentecost we are given contrasting readings. Acts is the one we know best. Which is not surprising given that’s where the timing and the name comes from. It’s big and loud, full of fire, wind and drama. We often look for the Spirit...
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Making God’s Presence Known?

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Ōtūmoetai - Ascension Sunday and Easter 7 Year A, 2026 Readings - Palm                             Psalm: 68:1-10, 32-35                                                  First Reading -               Acts 1:1-14                                           Second Reading -           Eph 1: 15-23     Gospel -       ...
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Some Thoughts on the Ascension

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On Thursday we remembered the Jesus’s Ascension. The timing is based entirely on the Book of Acts. The Ascension is sometimes described as the risen Jesus ascending to be with the Father, leaving us to carry on the work of God in the Spirit. We become Jesus’ hands and feet. The Ascension can also be seen as the completion of the Incarnation. In   Jesus   the Eternal Word of God came among us in a particular time and place .   The Ascen sion   describes   Christ’s   transition from   this   time and place into God’s presence, which is everywhere and eternal. Rather than being absent, the Ascended Christ   is now available to all people at all times . This is the "good news": he   remains   with us as he continues his work.   In our gospel reading we hear Jesus final prayer before the arrest and crucifixion – but with his terrified disciples present and listening. This final prayer is for them and for all future   disciples,...
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