The Ascension of Jesus - Power, Presence and Glory

Scripture: Acts 1:6-14  • Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35  • 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11  • John 17:1-11

This is Ascension Sunday. We, along with the disciples, Mary and other followers of the Lord, witness Jesus coming into his glory and authority. What is the significance of the Ascension? What is the glory of God? What is the power and authority of Christ?

Has Jesus left us? What are we commissioned to do? 

Consider The Rev. Ben Helmer's "Jesus didn't say, 'Beam me up,'" and Sister Kym Harris's   "This Sunday's Commentary."

 

We Are Not Alone - thanks be to God.

Scripture: Acts 17:22-31  • Psalm 66:8-20  • 1 Peter 3:13-22  • John 14:15-21

This week Jesus tells his disciples, and us, two weeks before the Pentecost (birthday of the church) that we are not alone. He said he will ask the Father, and He will send another Advocate, the παράκλητος (paraclete), a helper, counselor, who provides guidance, consolation, strength, and support to us.

The Rev. Jason Cox, in "Paul: Appealing or Appalling" (I would have called it "Taking it to the Greeks," gives us insight into what God, and this Advocate, is like, as Paul appeals to the Greeks in Athens,  the birthplace of western philosophy, at the Areopagus (Mars Hill) in the shadow of idols of Greek gods and goddesses.  The Greeks, like us, were searchers, as is evidenced by their monument to the "unknown God." What did they, and do we search for? What idols stand in our way of seeing God, and receiving God's help. In what ways is God, and his Advocate present today?

In "Orphaned? Reflections on John 14:15-21," The Rev. Dr. Anna Hosemann-Butler, poignantly tells and shows us that we are not alone.

In this Sunday's Scripture, Jesus gives us a new commandment, Love one another. As I have loved you, love one another."  And then he tells us how to love pone another, as he loves us. By keeping his commandments.  In "Love and Obedience," Debie Thomas says, "Everything else we say and do as believers in Christ comes down to this.  Prayer, evangelism, repentance, generosity, asking, seeking, alms-giving, truth-telling, honoring, serving, feeding, sharing… all of it, in the end, comes down to love.  The essential question, the searing question, is this: Do we love one another as Jesus has loved us?  Or do we not?  He says, 'Love one another as I have loved you.'  As in,  for real.  As in, the whole bona fide package.  Authentic feeling, honest engagement, generous action." Not just acting in rote obedience. But as she, and our other autors say, We don't have to do what seems impossible ourselves. We are not alone. As we say, and believe, when we reaffirm our baptismal covenant, "We will, with God's help." Thanks be to God.

Rocks and Stones - the Way, the Truth, the Life - the Mission

Scripture: Acts 7:55-60  • Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16  • 1 Peter 2:2-10  • John 14:1-14

This week's readings contain the imagery of rocks and stones - the stoning of Stephen, the rock of refuge and fortress in Psalm 31, and living stones building a spiritual house, believing on the living stone which is the cornerstone the builders rejected. See "And then the Stones Cried Out, " by Native American write Coyote Terry Aleck and Melanie Delva.

These passages are read together with this week's gospel account in which Jesus tells us that he goes to prepare a house for us - that in his Father's house there are many mansions, and that he is the Way, the Truth and the Life. That no one comes to the Father except by him.

Is Jesus talking about things to come, the here and now, or both? See  "Building the Kingdom, Stone by Stone," by The Rev. Dr. Susanna Met.

Is Jesus inclusive or exclusive in his statement that no one comes to the Father except by him? Consider "No Power Shortage Here, " by The Rev. Dr. Fred A. Anderson.

 

Shepherds, Sheep, Sacrifice and Moms

Scripture: Acts 2:42-47  • Psalm 23  • 1 Peter 2:19-25  • John 10:1-10

This Sunday is Mother's Day. How appropriate that we study God's word and life lessons in the imagery of shepherds, sheep and sacrifice. In this week's gospel passage, Jesus tells us that he is the shepherd and gate keeper of his sheep. What is he talking about? How are Moms good shepherds and gate keepers? What does this Good Shepherd and Moms do for their sheep? What can we do to become good shepherds and gate keepers? See John van de Laar's "Who Gets Sacrificed?"

What are we, as the sheep of God's pasture, called to do? See The Very Rev. Anthony Clavier's "Baptism into the Fold."

 

Blind Spots on the Journey

Scripture: Acts 2:14a, 36-41  • Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19  • 1 Peter 1:17-23  • Luke 24:13-35
As we read Luke's account of Cleopas and his friend on the Road to Emmaus, let us consider how we, like them, miss seeing the risen Christ. What blind spots do we have along the journeys of our lives which cause us to miss the fullness of the joy he brings, and the opportunity to welcome him into our lives. How often do we miss the opportunity to feed his sheep, and welcome the stranger.

See "In Our Midst, " by The Rev. David F. Sellery; "Joy for the Journey: Reflections on the Walk to Emmaus," by Alyce M. McKenzie; and "Consorting with Aliens," by Edgardo Antonio Colón Emeric; and "Road Trip," by Amy B. Hunter.

I believe the author of 1 Peter gives us the best way to avoid missing the presence of the Lord when he says "...love one another deeply from the heart."