This Sunday will be Pentecost - the birthday of the Church! Remember to WEAR RED!

While a birthday is a delightful "special day" for a growing child (and many adults!), I now see, as a parent myself, that those who witnessed that birth moment also mark their own transformation as human beings. This extends to all sorts of family members who meet a new baby the first time! The little baby changes us; the baby reminds us that we are part of a larger reality of Life; the little baby humbles us because we are now bearing a great responsibility.

I say all of this as we look forward to the feast of Pentecost. But this birthday is different! The followers of Jesus are both the witnesses to the birthing of the Church, as well as the Baby Church, itself. Their lives are for ever changed from confusion to courage; they are called to proclaim God's Kingdom breaking into the world; and they are humbled to be witnesses of Jesus, crucified, risen, and ascended.

The Pentecost is an extension of the Incarnation of our Lord. Through the Spirit's power, the raw materials of human flesh conveyed the Word made Flesh; and through the same Spirit, the raw materials of the disciples' lives, limitations and liabilities are now proclaiming Christ.

So it is with the Church, to this day. One would think that, two thousand years later, we have all grown up! Yet we are still utterly dependent upon the Spirit of God for our survival. We are still both the witnesses to the birthing of the Church, as well as the Baby Church, itself. And God is still proclaiming Jesus in us - in our lives, with our limitations and liabilities.

May Pentecost remind you again of how the Holy Spirit has completely changed you, and how you are called to proclaim and partake of the great abundance of God's Life in Jesus.

Faithfully yours,

Peter+