Between times - Rector's Rambling for May 8, 2016

Eastertide has now come and gone and in a few weeks we will be back in the “green” of ordinary time, also known as Trinitytide.

Easter is certainly the primary feast of the Church calendar.  It is by Jesus’ death and resurrection that we have the price of our sins paid, and death conquered by Jesus himself.

Ascension Day, which was last Thursday, is the culmination of Jesus’ earthly ministry.  Jesus takes his human body, resurrected, with Him back into the Godhead to intercede for us.

Today we are between times.  Like the disciples we are preparing for the promise of the coming of the Holy Ghost, the Comforter.  We have been praying since Friday a Novena for the gifts of the Holy Ghost, just as the disciples spent those nine days between Ascension and Pentecost in prayer.  You are most welcome to join this novena – there are forms for it at the back of the church, and it is being sent daily to the St. John’s e-mail list.

Sunday, May 15, is Whitsunday, also known as Pentecost.  On this day we celebrate the birthday of the Church by the coming of the Holy Ghost to empower the followers of Jesus to continue His work and propagate the Gospel.

The following week we have Trinity Sunday, when the Rector feebly tries to explain this vital dogma about God being one God in three persons.  Trinity Sunday this year is also our baseball outing Sunday.

The following Thursday, May 26, we have our festive celebration of Corpus Christi – the Body of Christ.  We rejoice and give thanks that Jesus feeds us with his own body and blood in the Sacrament of the Altar.  It will be followed by a torchlight reception in the Garden.

I would be remiss if I did not mention a non-church holiday today.  Happy Mother’s Day to the mothers in the congregation, and we give thanks for the love and ministry of our mothers, whether living here on earth or gone on to great life with the Lord.

Finally, we need your orders for Tigers tickets for our outing on May 22.  Be sure to invite friends for Church, Hot Dogs, and then to go over to the game to see the Choir sing the National Anthem, and watch the Tigers Game.