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From the Deacon’s Bench - Pentecost 2025
By Canon Ken

Pentecost is the fiftieth day after Easter. We read about how the Holy Spirit came to the apostles and they were heard speaking in many languages. The colour for the day is red, symbolizing joy and the fire of the Holy Spirit. It is a joyful day as we honour the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives and what really was the birth of the Christian community. If there is anything that reflects that the church is meant to be in the world as opposed to closed up in a room, Pentecost must be it. Fired up by the Spirit, those present, are sent out into the world to tell about Jesus and God. Fired up by the Spirit, we are sent as missionaries to the world.

What does it mean to be a missionary? The recently installed Pope, Leo XIV, is said to have been a missionary in Peru for much of his time. Canadian history often talks of missionaries, but usually not in a positive way as they were seen as trying to force Christianity upon the Indigenous peoples. Their  missionary work was often seen as a way not just to force the Indigenous to be Christians, but also to abandon their culture in order to adopt a European perspective.

How are we meant to be missionaries? I don’t think we are meant to wear placards on street corners promising a visit to Hell if people don’t convert to Christianity. I think one of the best ways to be a missionary is to live life as Jesus described, and to do it out in the world in places where there is need. If
people see us acting as Jesus directed, then I think they may be more inclined to feel attracted to a life of faith. They will see how life as a Christian can be positive and giving as opposed to closed and judgmental. It would be nice to think that God’s love will win out in the end over all the challenges faced in our world. So this Pentecost, embrace the Holy Spirit and take God’s love out into our world.