Dear Brothers and Sisters,
ALLELUIA! CHRIST IS RISEN!!!
This is the seventh Sunday of the Easter season. We usually think of it as the last Sunday of Easter, although technically NEXT Sunday, Pentecost, is the last Sunday. But it definitely is the last week of Easter.
On Thursday, we celebrated the Feast of the Ascension, when Christ, gathered with his disciples to hear him teach experienced an astonishing event! While they were talking, Jesus was lifted into heaven. They had been part of many unexpected happenings in the years they had been with Jesus: healings, raising people from the dead, multiplication of vast amounts of food, finally, his own resurrection. But based on the Scripture account of the event in Acts 1, they clearly weren’t expecting this. Imagine it! You’re in a class and the wise professor is lecturing to you. All of a sudden, in the middle of making an important point, s/he is lifted into the air, a cloud fills the room covering the rising person’s body, and when it clears, you see two angels sitting with you. They calmly ask, “Why are you staring up at the sky?” (Actually, one of the strangest parts of the story is that they would ask such a silly question!)
Continuing our imaginary scenario, after stunned silence, everyone would probably start talking at once. Shouting questions at the angels and checking in with each other to be sure they had actually seen what they thought they had seen. What would you do next? Not talk about it for fear your friends would assume you had been hallucinating? Or taking drugs? One version of the story in the Gospels says they were silent. Or would you run out and excitedly telling everyone about it, because this wondrous event further underscored Jesus’ divinity. And provided great hope, because the angels said although he was gone, he would be returning.
What does the Ascension mean for you? Jesus has promised that where he is, we will also be. So for me, it’s the assurance that I will also be where he is. And beyond that, that all my beloved friends and family who have received the same guarantee will be there, too.
Plenty of reason to keep those ALLELUIAS coming!
JOY!
Mo. Laura+
Coming Up
- May 12, Collection for Food Pantry (human) and for Animal Food Bank – THIS SUNDAY!!!!
- May 19, PENTECOST! Wear read and other fiery colors as we celebrate the birthday of the church!
- June 9, RaiseRight Gift card orders due to Janice
- Wednesdays, noonday prayer via zoom at 12:00