What is Tuesday in Whitsun Week in the 1928 BCP?

Tuesday in Whitsun Week continues the Pentecost festival with its own appointed Epistle and Gospel. The day focuses on the Spirit given through the laying on of hands and on the image of Christ as the Good Shepherd whose voice his Spirit-filled sheep recognise and follow.

What does the Epistle from Acts 8 teach about the Holy Ghost?

Peter and John are sent to the Samaritan believers who had been baptised in the name of Jesus but had not yet received the Holy Ghost. The apostles laid their hands on them and they received the Spirit. This passage has been foundational for the Church's understanding of Confirmation as a distinct gift.

What does the parable of the Good Shepherd in John 10 teach?

Christ is the Shepherd who enters by the door, calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out. The sheep hear his voice because they know him, and they follow him. Where the Spirit is given, the voice of Christ the Good Shepherd becomes recognisable and is gladly followed.

Tuesday in Whitsun Week – 1928 Book of Common Prayer - Saint Paul's Anglican Church

Theological Note

Tuesday in Whitsun Week continues the festival of Pentecost, appointed by the 1928 Book of Common Prayer with its own Epistle and Gospel while the Whitsunday Collect continues to be said throughout the week. The readings assigned to this day draw out a particular aspect of the Spirit's work: the gift received through the laying on of hands, and the image of Christ as the Good Shepherd who gives life to his sheep.

The appointed Epistle from Acts 8 records the mission of Peter and John to Samaria, where Philip had already preached the Gospel and many had been baptised in the name of Jesus. The apostles came down and prayed for the Samaritan believers and laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. The passage has been foundational for the Church's theology of Confirmation — that Baptism and the strengthening gift of the Spirit through the laying on of hands are distinct yet related graces of the same Lord.

The appointed Gospel from John 10 contains the parable of the Good Shepherd: he that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, is a thief and a robber — but the shepherd enters by the door, calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out. The sheep hear his voice and follow him because they know him. Tuesday in Whitsun Week holds before the faithful both the gift of the Spirit and the voice of Christ that the Spirit makes recognisable: where the Spirit is truly present, the Good Shepherd is known and followed.

Collect

O GOD, who as at this time didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people, by sending to them the light of thy Holy Spirit; Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

Epistle

Acts 8:14

Gospel

John 10:1

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tuesday in Whitsun Week in the 1928 BCP?: Tuesday in Whitsun Week continues the Pentecost festival with its own appointed Epistle and Gospel. The day focuses on the Spirit given through the laying on of hands and on the image of Christ as the Good Shepherd whose voice his Spirit-filled sheep recognise and follow.
What does the Epistle from Acts 8 teach about the Holy Ghost?: Peter and John are sent to the Samaritan believers who had been baptised in the name of Jesus but had not yet received the Holy Ghost. The apostles laid their hands on them and they received the Spirit. This passage has been foundational for the Church's understanding of Confirmation as a distinct gift.
What does the parable of the Good Shepherd in John 10 teach?: Christ is the Shepherd who enters by the door, calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out. The sheep hear his voice because they know him, and they follow him. Where the Spirit is given, the voice of Christ the Good Shepherd becomes recognisable and is gladly followed.