May is a lovely time of the year as the whole of nature explodes in new life with beautiful colours, texture and form. Each life form, in flora and fauna, is full of its own purpose and power. Again nature reflects the Christian year. The new life of Easter explodes on the Church in changed lives: the Easter garden, the upper room, the road to Emmaus and the Lakeside, all tell of lives changed by the new life of Christ which has resonated down the Christian centuries and out into today’s world.
This is taken further by the two major festivals we celebrate in May. 20 May is Ascension Day which gives us the purpose of our faith. As Jesus ascended to heaven he gave his commission to his disciples:-
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been committed to me, go therefore, make disciples of all nations, baptising in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teach them to observe all I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
Ascension is the verification of all Jesus was, and said, and did as the human expression of God. When we look at Jesus we see God and his life, example and teaching is the yardstick against which we can judge all else. Not only do we recognise the authority of Jesus but also we have his commission – the purpose for which he chose us to be his Church. That is to reach out, in his name, to bring all people to know they are God’s family, enfolded by his love.
Ascension is followed by Pentecost on 30 May. Pentecost is the celebration of the wonderful gift of the Spirit to give power to the Church, in order to fulfil our purpose. The lives of the first followers of Jesus were transformed by the gift of the Spirit, which appeared as tongues of flame to give inner strength and burning conviction, and as a strong wind to drive them out from behind their closed doors to tell each in his own language of the wonderful things God had done.
It is with this new life that Christian Aid reaches out in power and purpose to witness to the compassion and demand for social justice which characterised Jesus. Christian Aid Week (9 - 15 May) is our opportunity to identify with this work of the Church as a challenge to our wider community, society and world. When we witness the enormous resources of finance, personnel, military might and political determination it took to overturn the oppressive regimes in Afghanistan and Iraq we need to call for similar resources to be made available for reconstruction. When we witness the horrifying spectre of hatred in the terrorist, and the division of communities and people, we need to work for peace and reconciliation. We need to show the world, by word and action, the example of Christ, who came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. Christian Aid is the Churches’ own agency to channel our resources and determination to witness to the reconciling power of Christ in purpose and power.
That purpose and power starts in the experience of each individual Christian and in the worship, witness and work we share as a Church fellowship. I welcome the innovation of our Parish weekend in Grasmere from 14-16 May to enjoy time together and share Christian fellowship. I hope and pray this will lead to further opportunities to strengthen the purpose and power we experience together as the gift of the Holy Spirit. Then on Sunday 23 May the Bishop of Chester will come to St James for Confirmation with Communion at 6.00 pm. As adults and young people together ask for the gift of the Holy Spirit, through the laying on of hands by the Bishop, our whole Church is strengthened in purpose and power. May we do all we can to welcome those who are Confirmed and encourage their commitment to our shared ministry and mission.
Yours sincerely
Peter Lee
Prayer of the Month:
(Based on Isaiah 35:5 from Aotearoa, New Zealand)
Loving God,
open our hearts, so that we may feel the breath and play of your Spirit. Unclench our hands so that we may reach out to one another, and touch and be healed.
Open our lips that we may drink in the delight and wonder of life. Unclog our ears to hear your agony in our inhumanity.
Open our eyes so that we may see Christ in friend and stranger. Breathe your Spirit into us,
and touch our lives with the new life of Christ. Amen.
