Religious  Education

Sometimes the best way to think about something as complex as the action of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, is to use a really simple analogy like popcorn. A few small corn kernels,  closed tightly and hard in your hand. You can fit them in a small space. They remind me of the first disciples: although they had witnessed the resurrection, encountered the risen Christ and seen firsthand the power of God, they remained small, frightened, unsure and (literally) dis-spirited. We place them in a small place, a small upper room (put them in the popper) a room where they might re-enact a meal, a ritual of when Jesus was there. To these small items, we add something powerful: the word of the Holy Spirit: a mighty wind (turn on the popper), a flame to heat them and we begin to see a transformation: we cannot see the Holy Spirit herself, but we can see the action she has on the disciples. (The corn begins to pop) An explosion of energy! A rapid expansion! Beyond the confines of the upper room and into the world, the disciples are no longer tight, hard, withdrawn, but open, fluffy, delightful! Some are spread far and wide into the world (making a mess on the floor). It transforms the ritual of bread and wine from a simple memorial to a living reenactment – as the Holy Spirit brings Christ present in our midst and the body and blood of Christ feeds the dynamic, living world of faith.  The Holy Spirit is here with us today, and can transform you in equally dynamic ways; the Holy Spirit can take that inner hardness, reticence, fear and doubt and help you to be open, fulfilled, released into the world to make a difference. The Psalmist wrote “Taste and see that the Lord is good” (Ps 34:8) For it is through experience, not deduction or logic that we know this to be true. Taste and see my dear friends, and you will know that by the work of the Holy Spirit, we are transformed, we are like those first disciples, we are bursting with the energy and the love of God. (Eat popcorn) We have tasted, and we know. Come Holy Spirit. Come. 

The Holy Spirit seems to  work dynamically through many people we encounter. One such person is Lidia Thorpe. Lydia  is a Senator for Victoria, a proud Gunnai Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung woman. Lifelong activist and fighter for human rights, social justice and the environment. In September 2020, Lidia took her seat as Victoria’s first Aboriginal Senator in the federal parliament.

Lidia Thorpe grew up in the Collingwood Housing Commission flats, the granddaughter of one of the founders of the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service, and is a life-long activist. She has raised three children, is a survivor of domestic violence, and completed her university education as an adult. Her professional background includes work in public policy, advocacy, small business, government and NGOs, always with a focus on activism and social justice. 

We are lucky enough to have Senator Thorpe visit our parish. Her presentation is certain to be thought provoking and inspiring. 

All are welcome, please come along on Wednesday 9th June 7-8.30pm at St Louis Church.