Break Open the Word

The Holy Trinity - 26 May 2013 Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 Psalm 8    Or Canticle 2 or 13 Romans 5:1-5 St. John 16:12-14                                                                                     Background:  The Feast of the Holy Trinity Trinity Sunday is a Principal Feast both in the Church of England and in the Episcopal Church, although that was not always so.  In the Roman Communion, the day was not established with such dignities until the early part of the last century.  With the reforms of Vatican II, Th...

The Day of Pentecost - 19 May 2013 Acts 2:1-21    Or Genesis 11:1-9 Psalm 104:25-35 Romans 8:14-17    Or Acts 2:1-21 Saint John 14:8-17, 25-27        Background: Pentecost The celebration of Pentecost was an established feast in Israel prior to the Christian adaptation of it.  The original feast celebrates the giving of the Law to Moses on Sinai, and was celebrated over a series of days.  One can still see the celebration of this festival in the modern Jewish celebration of Shavout. Biblical citations about the festival can be seen in Exodus 34:22 and Deuteronomy 16:10 .  It was in celebration of this feast that the disciples were gathered in Jerusalem, and it was at this time, according to Acts of the Apostles, that the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the disciples.  This association of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit has made the day popular for the celebrati...