The Rite Stuff

This Thursday (May 29) is Ascension Day. Jesus explained that he was going to the Father and sending them the Holy Spirit so that we could do the work he did as his disciples. Of course I also remember an Ascension “cartoon” that showed a couple of large bare feet sticking out of the bottom of a cloud and the disciples standing around looking up with some alarm or consternation about what they were supposed to do now. They had not experienced Pentecost yet.

Next Sunday, June 1, is the 7th Sunday of Easter and then we celebrate Pentecost on June 8. The great high feast of Pentecost is sometimes called the birthday of the Church. After Trinity Sunday, June 15, we enter the long season of Sundays “after Pentecost.” Some traditions call it Ordinary time but I like to remember that every Sunday remains a celebration of Easter.