This past Sunday was the Feast of Pentecost. It is just like any other feast of the Church Year – celebrating promises fulfilled and gifts given. Amongst Lutheran circles the festival is given another name – Whitsunday. The same gifts and promise are celebrated no matter which name is used – the Holy Spirit.
Christ promised to send the Spirit to guide us into the way of truth that we may have no fear on the Last Day. Today that promise stands fulfilled as we heard about the disciples being clothed from on high. "As many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ."
What do Christ and baptism have to do with Whitsunday? They have everything to do with it! Whitsunday comes from the white garments worn at baptism. At baptism the promised Spirit came down and with the water and the Word set us on the way of truth in our heavenly garments of Christ crucified, resurrected, ascended, and gift giving!
The Spirit comes and gives us Christ to us that we may be reconciled to our heavenly Father. Water, words, bread and wine – so simple yet bearing Christ – His life, forgiveness, and body and blood. All that we may be free indeed!
Pentecost or Whitsunday? Its all about promise given and gift received. But let us all remember to continue to dare to live in our baptismal grace from this time forth and even forevermore!
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