Sunday coming is Pentecost - meaning 50th day after Easter. With Pentecost Sunday, the long Easter Season draws to its close. I must confess to rather preferring the traditional name of Whitsun for this day. The meaning of whit is unclear. Some think it refers to the white vestments worn by the priest on this day before the current practice of wearing red. Another suggestion from John Mirk, an Augustinian Canon of the 15th century is the whit is a form of wytte meaning wisdom. Wytte is closer to our modern usage of whit to indicate presence of mind, so I rather like the suggestion that on Whitsunday the wisdom of God was poured into the followers of Jesus, transforming them in a very dramatic and radical way.

 

It's easy to focus on Luke's description in Acts 2:1-11 of the day in terms of the raging wind, the pyrotechnics of tongues of fire, and the ecstasy expressed in polyglot utterances. As Hollywood movies increasingly grab our attention with special effects, we are mentally conditioned to focus on the Holy Spirit's special effects. But the real power in Luke's depiction lies in verse 43 onwards:

Awe came upon everyone, ....All who belonged were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts praising God and having the goodwill of all the people.

 

 

Being a community that is continually (re)configuring itself for those who have yet to show up is the primary goal for us at St Martin's. I am proud that we have embraced this as part of our mission identity. Yet, what I would like to draw our attention to more, is the fact that becoming the kind of community we all want to be part of requires two things.

Happy wytte - Whitsun -amplified and empowered presence of mind, Sunday. Remember to come to church wearing red!!!

 

Mark+