Dear Friends,
Today is the Feast of the Ascension, that day on which we remember Jesus’s being taken into heaven after his post-Resurrection appearances. You might be surprised to find that this is a major feast day, sharing the stature of Palm Sunday, Easter, and the Day of Pentecost. That’s because Ascension Day always falls on a Thursday, coming as it does 40 days after Easter (by a Jewish counting of the days). Because many churches don’t ordinarily hold feast day services during the weekdays, the day is often overlooked.
What makes Ascension Day important is that it marks the end of Jesus’s active ministry on earth. Jesus tells the disciples that he must leave them so that the Holy Spirit can come among them (John 16:7), inaugurating an age when the Church carries on his work in the world – so Ascension Day also signals a time of anticipation of the Holy Spirit’s arrival. The Collect for this day, however, reminds us that Jesus is always present in his Church – in his Body and Blood, in the prayers, in the work, in the fellowship:
Almighty God, whose blessed Son our Savior Jesus Christ ascended far above all heavens that he might fill all things: Mercifully give us faith to perceive that, according to his promise, he abides with his Church on earth, even to the end of the ages; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
I hope very much that many of you have decided to accept the invitation to pray the “Thy Kingdom Come” meditations beginning today and continuing through May 19. If you need a copy of the booklet, please email me at tj.azar@hotmail.com.
Alleluia, Christ is risen!
Mtr. TJ
P.S.: I thank those of you who were aware and offered prayer for my daughter, Rachel, who had successful surgery in Alliance, Ohio, yesterday to repair an injury to her knee. I drove up to be with her for the surgery, which is why you’re receiving this edition of the e-news on the former Thursday schedule. Rachel, too, sends her thanks!