The Feast of the Ascension
““But 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 RSV
It might be apropos to call today a celebration of the “beginning of the harvest.” Jesus had completed His earthly ministry and, after appearing to His disciples and others numerous times during a 40-day period following His resurrection, Jesus came for one more personal encounter with His inner circle.
Today’s lessons describe not only Jesus giving the disciples their “marching orders,” but also His assurance to them that they would be empowered for the task ahead of them.
And here begins the final chapter in God’s plan to draw His creation into communion with Him for eternity. A rag-tag group of disciples were charged with the task of being Jesus’ witnesses “to the ends of the earth” with the promise they would be empowered for the task. They were to receive dunamis, the Greek word for power, from the Holy Spirit, power from God Himself to carry out the sacred charge given to them by their Lord.
Today, you and I are beneficiaries of the ministries that began that day. The story has been passed from generation to generation for almost 2,000 years. As we say “yes” to God’s gift of love and grace in our lives, He empowers us to continue sharing the story. We have the joy, the privilege and the charge via our baptismal covenant to be witnesses as well. The covenant asks a number of questions:
Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?[1]
Jesus said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few...” (Matthew 9:37) How are you participating in bringing in the harvest?
[1] Book of Common Prayer, p.305
