The Feast of Pentecost - Reflection by Canon Leslie

Teddy Horsley is a bear who is growing up in a churchgoing family with Lucy, Walter and Betsy Bear. He is growing up to appreciate the rhythm of the Church’s year and the distinctive insights of the Christian tradition. There is a lot for him to explore, and a lot that puzzles him as well.
 
On the Feast of Pentecost Teddy Horsley hears the Church speak about the Holy Spirit, and Teddy Horsley is a puzzled bear. He opens his eyes to look for the Holy Spirit, but he cannot see the Holy Spirit. He stretches out his paws to touch the Holy Spirit, but he cannot grasp the Holy Spirit. He pricks up his ears to listen to the Holy Spirit, but he cannot hear the Holy Spirit. Teddy Horsley is a puzzled bear. 
 
Then Teddy Horsley began to explore the theology of the Holy Spirit. He discovers that the Greek word pneuma can also be translated as breath or wind. He discovers that the Hebrew word ruach refers to the power encountered in the breath and in the wind. Now Teddy Horsley begins to understand. 
       
On a windy day Teddy Horsley cannot see the wind, but he can see the power of the wind blow paper along the street. Teddy Horsley cannot touch the wind, but he can feel the power of the wind tug his kite into the sky. Teddy Horsley cannot hear the wind, but he can hear the power of the wind whistle through the trees. Now Teddy Horsley beings to understand.

On the Feast of Pentecost Teddy Horsley invites us to prepare our homes to participate in the Sunday Eucharist broadcast from Liverpool Cathedral by making a windmill or a kite, or to blow up a balloon to focus our attention on the Gospel message for the day.
 
The image for next Sunday, the Feast of the Holy Trinity, is a waterfall. You can find out more about that theme here: https://www.prayerforliverpool.org/prayer-resources.html. We would really appreciate you letting us know how you are using these materials. Please send us your ideas and photos of the things you may create; email them to [email protected].
 
A couple of weeks ago I launched a national survey to explore how churchgoers are feeling during the lockdown. I hope that many people who visit this website today will be willing to participate in the survey. It is completely anonymous and confidential. Find out more here https://tinyurl.com/ycsq9fy2.
 
To learn more about Teddy Horsley, follow this link to his website: https://teddyhorsley.org/, and this link to his page on the St. Mary’s Centre website: http://www.st-marys-centre.org.uk/resources.html.
 
You are warmly invited to join us in worship today here: 

We invite your further engagement with us using the Breakfast and the Bible materials here: 
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Acting On Acts ~ 1.12-26
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​Teddy Horsley sends his Pentecost greetings to you all.
 
Canon Leslie