God’s Mission, Our Mission: Go and make disciples of all nations, says the Lord, I am with you always, to the close of the age. Matthew 28:19, 20

Today, we celebrate what we call the Ascension of the Lord. It is the time Jesus went back to be with God. His disciples are now ready to do the work he had given them to do. Now that Jesus is with God, he is right here with us. And he is with everyone, everywhere. He had to go back to be with God so he could do this. Before he left to go be with God, he had a long conversation with God. He told God that he was sending his friends out to do God’s work. His friends taught their friends, who taught their friends, and today we are learning together. Jesus makes a distinction between “the world” and “those whom you gave me.” What does this imply to us?

Jerusalem Sunday known now as Jerusalem and Holy Land Sunday: In 2013 the General Synod designated today as “Jerusalem Sunday” in solidarity with the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem. It is an opportunity for Anglicans and Lutherans in Canada to learn more about and support God’s mission in the Diocese of Jerusalem and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan & the Holy Land (ELCJ&HL).

The entire nature of life in the Holy Land (The Land of the Holy One)—Gaza, Israel, Palestine, and so many others—has changed dramatically since the 7th Sunday of Easter, 2023. The place of Jerusalem, of course, is central—indeed, as Psalm 122 exhorts us to do: we are to ‘pray for the peace of Jerusalem’. Jerusalem, the place, is home to many different faiths—we pray for all of those traditions and all of those people. Jerusalem, the symbol, is always a place where peace finds a home.

Words matter. We pray for the people—all the people—of Israel and Palestine; we pray for the leaders and those in authority—all those in authority, in all those places. We pray for all those who have died, for all those who have lost loved ones—parents, friends, siblings, children.

Vicar’s Corner: Today, we celebrate Ascension Sunday in our church calendar. “Ascension” is one of those many “church words” that may not have much, if any meaning, to those outside the church. In fact, the ascension of Christ and Ascension Day/Sunday itself may seem like an obscure event or day even to church members. The word “ascent” or “ascension” does, at least, have a straightforward meaning. It simply means to move upward, to rise, or to be lifted up. In this case, the “ascension” refers to Jesus’ ascent as he was lifted up into the heavens at the end of his earthly ministry in the midst of his followers. 

Many of us also know that today is Mother’s Day. To all the moms out there, I wish you all “Happy Mother’s Day! Thank you for every hug, word of encouragement, and acts of love you’ve given your children. Thank you for laughing with us in the best of times and sticking with us through the worst of times! What would we do without you?” 

We continue to invite you to our weekly bible study, Tuesday, 10am, CTR Parish. This week’s theme is, Come Holy Spirit. Please readActs 2:1-21 and John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15.

Let us pray:  God of eternal light, open our eyes to the vision of your holy city coming down from heaven; make our hearts sensitive to your presence, and our wills eager to join in the comfort and healing you bring to all the world. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.