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Diocesan Meditations

May 30: Of Masks and the Spirit

5/30/2020

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By the Rt. Rev. Henry N. Parsley, Jr.,
Visiting Bishop for the Diocese of South Carolina


What does the Feast of Pentecost have to say to us this year, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic? This fiftieth day of Easter celebrates God the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Trinity, and God’s indwelling presence with us. It is the birthday of the church.

When we think of the Spirit, many things come to mind: energy, vitality, mystery, power, joy. But it is the word koinonia that stands out for me this year. This Greek word is one of the most important in the New Testament, right up there with love, grace, and faith. Our English Bibles translate it as “communion” or “fellowship.” Our words “common” and “community” are in the same family. In the writings of St. Paul, koinonia is always associated with the Holy Spirit. “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you,” he wrote. The apostle never tired of teaching that the special gift of the Spirit is community, fellowship, deep connectedness.

In Acts, the disciples’ experience on Pentecost is the reversal of the tower of Babel story in Genesis. Babel’s power-driven fracturing of humanity into many languages is healed by the Spirit’s gift of communion and the unifying language of love.

In his book The Go-Between God, John Taylor describes the Holy Spirit as the invisible “and” between and among us. The Spirit is God’s love power moving through all life. It is the go-between God who connects us, with all our differences, and makes us one. The Star Wars films use “the Force” as almost a metaphor for what we mean by the Spirit. “The force,” Obi-Won says, “surrounds us and penetrates us; it binds the galaxy together.”

In stark contrast is the rising polarization in our country about re-opening and wearing face masks. It is hard to imagine politicizing the wearing of masks in a pandemic. This is individualism and partisan politics run amuck—the very opposite of the Spirit’s communion. Babel again. To resist wearing a mask in public interactions says: “It’s all about me… my image, my politics, my needs. It’s not about you.” The purpose of a mask, after all, is primarily to protect our neighbor.

Pentecost is not just a feast for the faithful. It is a clarion call to the world. It urges us to care about one another, to connect, to live in the awareness that what you do affects me and what I do affects you. That is the Spirit’s work, the great “and” that binds us together. It matters always, but how much more now? The days ahead will test our resolve. We will learn to live in community, as neighbors responsible for one another. Or else, many more will suffer and die separately and needlessly.

I am proud to be an Episcopalian in this moment. Your Standing Committee, and your diocese, along with dioceses and churches across our country, are reminding us that in this moment our primary concern must be public safety and care for our neighbors. We are wearing our masks and sacrificially refraining from large gatherings in obedience to Jesus’ command to love. We will gradually find safe ways to gather physically in the days ahead. But, together or apart, we always are connected by Christ’s love and by our love. This is koinonia, the Spirit’s work. Let us live it, proclaim it, celebrate it.

God bless you.
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    Meditations

    During the uncertain times created by the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, leadership of the diocese will send out regular meditations on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays for the next while as we all adjust to a new chapter of living and being the Church.

    ​The Archdeacon, The Venerable Calhoun Walpole, will share a meditation each Wednesday; The Rt. Rev. Henry N. Parsley, Jr., Visiting Bishop for our Diocese, will offer a meditation each Saturday; and the Rev. Cn. Caleb Lee, President of the Standing Committee, will share a reflection each Monday.

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  • Home
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Our History
    • Our Vision
    • Find a Church
    • Deaneries
    • The Bishop >
      • Messages from Bishop Woodliff-Stanley
    • Clergy & Staff >
      • Clergy in Good Standing
      • Clergy and Transition Ministries
    • Governance >
      • Constitution & Canons
      • Convention
      • Boards and Committees >
        • Standing Committee
        • Diocesan Council
        • Trustees of the Diocese
        • Deputies to General Convention
        • Commission on Ministry
        • Liturgical Commission
        • Visioning Committee
        • University of the South Trustees
        • Other Boards and Committees
    • Historical Timeline
    • FAQ
  • Ministry
    • Prayer Calendar
    • Diocesan Meditations
    • Outreach
    • Grants for Congregations
    • Administrative Resources
    • Clergy Resources
    • Liturgy & Worship >
      • Liturgical Commission >
        • Bishop Guerry
      • Marriage
      • The Lectionary
      • The Book of Common Prayer
      • Brother, Give Us A Word (SSJE)
      • Daily Prayer: Forward Movement
    • Education & Formation >
      • Adults
      • College Ministry
      • Youth
      • Children
    • Church Connections >
      • The Episcopal Church >
        • Province IV
      • The Anglican Communion
      • Anglicans Online >
        • The Society of Archbishop Justus
      • Daughters of the King
      • Episcopal Church Women (ECW)
      • Society of the Companions of the Holy Cross
      • Order of St. Helena
    • Ecumenical & Interfaith >
      • Racial Justice & Reconciliation
      • Fellowship of SC Bishops/Public Education Initiative
      • Charleston Area Justice Ministry
      • Christian Jewish Council
      • Gun Violence Prevention
    • Communication and Evangelism >
      • Carolina Grace
      • Social Media Sunday
      • Mission Matters Videos
  • News
    • News Blog
    • 80th General Convention 2022 >
      • 80th General Convention Blog
    • Events Calendar
    • Upcoming Events
    • Lent 2023
    • Sacred Ground 2022
    • Responding to COVID-19
    • Email Newsletter
    • Episcopal News Service
    • Anglican Communion News
  • Giving
  • Convention
    • 232nd Diocesan Convention
  • Contact Us
    • Get in touch
    • Make a donation
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    • News Submission