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We are commemorating the Ascension of Jesus this week.
Let's ask ourselves what the Ascension of Jesus really means.
Do you know?
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Preparation: O God, make speed to save us.
All O Lord, make haste to help us.
Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. Psalm 86.4 All: Amen. |
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Song of Praise 'Lord, Every Nation on earth Shall Adore You' (John Michael Talbott)
THE WORD OF GOD Mark 16: 15-20
A Reflection On the Reading
I was touched by a homily I heard and it might shed some light on this question of the Ascension. The university where I work would soon be vacant. Our presider mentioned how the emptying of school affected him. A school is like a small town, with patterns of life, new friends made, turnarounds in relationships, all in regular/irregular rhythm of life.
Suddenly the fabric comes to pieces.
I think this is how the disciples felt. The passion was the worst part, of course. Then suddenly Jesus was alive again, in their midst. He had truly died, and now he truly was back, with his real wounds still in his body. If you looked closely, though, or if — if you put your hand into his wounds like Thomas did, you would have noticed that they were somehow different now. It was as if they were burnished - the wounds had become beautiful, made lovely by love. A simple way to say it is that Jesus now was more real than before.
And therefore life could go on just as it was!!!!
Ah, no. Jesus could not stay here as before. He had already travelled through the narrow passageway of death—as you and I will have to do one day. Jesus had given everything that he was and that he possessed to the Father out of sheer love and now he was on the way back to the dynamic, swirling, Trinitarian circle of love from which his humanity had issued in the first place. He lingered after the Resurrection only in order to tell us about it, to comfort us, ease the loss.
We must not simply let go of someone we love and get on with life as if nothing had happened. We have to grieve until we slowly become accustomed. But if we let it happen, if we let it, we discover a different fact; that our loved ones remain within us. Their spirit stays inside us.
RESPONSE As We Prepare For the Coming of the Spirit (different persons take different paragraphs, pausing between them)
Jesus said, 'You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.' When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. Acts 1.8,9
Afterwards I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female slaves, in those days, I will pour out my spirit. Joel 2.28,29
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. I Corinthians 12.4–7
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Romans 8.26,27
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.
Galatians 5.22 – 25
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. Acts 2.1 – 4
The Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3.17,18
General Intercessions
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your people,
R/ and kindle in us the fire of your love.
For the Church: that we may fulfill our calling to be the Body of Christ in the world and continue Christ’s mission for all who are in need ...
For the grace to be fearless as we follow God’s call and face new and challenging situations ...
For those who face the future with apprehension and uncertainty: that God will enlighten their minds and give them peace ...
For all nations and their leaders: that the reign of peace and justice of God's rule may enlighten all who lead and govern ...
For all who are dealing with the power of nature, especially from storms, floods, and earthquakes: that the hearts of many may be open to assist them ...
Creator God, our minds and hearts were prepared for the coming of your kingdom when you took Christ beyond our sight. May we follow where he has led, and find our hope in his glory. Forever. Amen.
Closing Prayer
God of power,
may the boldness of your Spirit transform us,
may the gentleness of your Spirit lead us,
may the gifts of your Spirit equip us
to serve and worship you
now and always.
A New Zealand Prayer Book
The Lord's Prayer is said.
The Conclusion
On this day of our Lord’s ascension, may the grace of the Spirit enlighten our hearts and minds.
All Amen.
CLOSING PRAISE 'The Spirit of the Lord' (from The Heart of Being Brother CD)
Brother Nick Morris (Rome)