May 2011

May is a glorious month as the daylight continues to increase. Hopefully the last vestiges of winter and the potentially chilly winds of spring are past and everywhere abundant life is breaking out. Of course we can never be completely sure given the vagaries of our weather. However we want 'April showers to give way to May flowers.' Down on the river banks to the delight of trout fishermen like me, insects are hatching coaxing the trout to rise with carefree abandon. The May fly season, sometimes known as duffers fortnight, is something all fishermen prize. Abundance, vitality, vibrancy and the promise of more are what we expect and look to enjoy.

This year Easter was late. In the Church's calendar, the month of May sits right between Easter and Pentecost. With Easter, we have the assurance that death does not have the last word: Christ is risen from the tomb. Unlike the calendar seasons where one is left behind and another replaces it, the churches calendar builds one layer upon another. With Easter both death and resurrection are never actually parted. At the Holy Communion we proclaim Christ's death and feed upon his life. In our preaching both remain in focus with a challenge to us all to continue to die to selfishness whether individual, institutional or societal and in so doing find new life in Christ. The late Michael Ramsey, Archbishop of Canterbury put it like this: 'We are familiar with this; but how tremendous are the implications. It implies a fellowship of Christians marked by an unselfish openness in the service of the community and a commitment to the way which led to Calvary.'

Michael Ramsey went on to question whether we or the institutional church can rise to the challenge. The simple answer is no if we seek to do so in our own strength. Easter requires Pentecost. If we are to serve and live in the abundance, vitality, vibrancy and promise of more then we need the presence of the Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit's presence that enables us to break out from the limitations and lack of expectancy that so easily entomb us. If May promises more, then Pentecost offers the life changing power of God that can transform us and our communities.

+Alistair