As I looked at May’s calendar, it seemed at first like an ordinary month. We’ve celebrated Easter, with all the excitement and extra preparation. We’re not celebrating Pentecost until next month. So what happens in May? On the church calendar, there are no special holidays. A time to coast, breathe and regroup.

But these 50 days between the resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost were tremendously exciting days for the followers of Jesus.

Jesus appeared to many of his followers, and he continued to teach them about the life of discipleship they would undertake on his behalf. Easter was the beginning, not the end, of their story. We may be familiar with Jesus’ words, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

Quite a job description! Jesus’ work may have been finished, but the disciples’ work was just beginning! Before they set out, they were to wait for the Holy Spirit—they needed God’s infilling power in order to be able to fulfill Jesus’ great commandment. Too often we celebrate a glorious day like Easter, with all that it affirms about God’s love and provision for us, and then we go back to life as usual, life the way it was before the holiday. Whew! Time to coast. We’re not “seeing” Jesus, there are no appearances of the risen Lord, God is not telling us anything new, we don’t need to wait for the Holy Spirit. It’s May, and there are no special events [except Mother’s Day], so we can get caught up, set aside those extra worship services, and get ready for summer.

What if Jesus still has a job description for us? What if, like the first followers, we will see Jesus if we pay attention? What if we need a fresh infilling of the Holy Spirit in order to be faithful? For we, too, are to go to people where they are, invite them into a relationship with Jesus, include them in the church, and teach them what it means to follow Jesus in a life of obedience. This way of life continues through months like May, and all the months thereafter.

In Christ,

 Pastor Stephanie