THE SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

We are an Easter people. Alleluia is our song!
     Welcome to worship, as we continue each week for some in person and to all still connecting virtually, or who are worshipping at home. Next week people with surnames between A & I can attend to make sure we don’t exceed the maximum allowed, but please contact me first, so I have a clear idea who is coming.
    Over the last few days I’ve been reflecting on the concept of ‘power’. It was initially sparked by the verse in our first reading today, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.” The questions I ‘ve pondered and raised with the Thursday Study & Discussion Zoom Group are around ‘What does power from the Holy Spirit look like?’ ‘How is such power best used in a world where so many are consumed with power?
    To me the power that Christ calls us to share by the Spirit is not about the self-promoting, fame seeking, all promising prosperity driven power that we so often see bumbling across our television screens or through headlines in other media. It isn’t about being seen as successful or the best in the eyes of the world.
    Real power is much less visible than constant media attention seeking leaders with unusual hairstyles. It is about a faithful living of the Gospel. It is the person who says, “I know I can’t do this on my own. Lord please help me and when I stuff up please forgive me.” Power is extending to others a helping hand knowing that we too need help. It is about trying to live in harmony with the world and by that I don’t mean just people, but somehow as best we can with all of creation. Power is the action to help bring wholeness and healing to a community that often forgets what it means to be whole.
    True power is sharing love, for love is of God.
    May you journey well with the risen Christ day by day.
    Fr Ian