At Pentecost, we remember the descent of the Holy Spirit in a powerful new way upon Christ’s apostles and other followers on the fiftieth day after Easter. Besides the account in the Acts of the Apostles, the Gospels, especially the Gospel according to St. John, also promise the blessing of the Spirit. A key verse from John 14 says, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (Jn.14:26 ESV).
Here Jesus teaches us about the basic work of the Holy Spirit among Christians. The Spirit has done, is doing, and will do many things, but the central work of the Spirit is related to the message of Jesus Christ. The central work of the Spirit of Truth is to inspire believers. The Spirit of Truth is to remind, motivate, and help the disciples apply the Truth they have already heard from Jesus. Although the Holy Spirit certainly brings new life and new insight, He never brings some sort of new Gospel. The Spirit does not and will not change the core message. The Divine Spirit’s chief work is to help us apply the eternal Word in new contexts. The Spirit gives new life to the Gospel and to the Church, but the Spirit always works with and through the historic message revealed in the Scriptures (especially in the incarnate Word Jesus Christ), summarized in the Creeds, and applied through the Sacraments.
Sunday, May 31, 2020
Wednesday, May 20, 2020
Ascension
Thursday May 21 is the fortieth day after Easter, the commemoration
of Christ's Ascension. The Ascension is a teaching of Scripture and of
the ancient creeds. It marks Jesus' return to His heavenly Father and
the completion of His earthly ministry. Yet, somewhat like Epiphany, the
Ascension is an often neglected major Christian observance.
Why is Christ's Ascension neglected? One obvious reason is that Ascension Day is a week day, and many modern Christians cannot or will not observe weekday feasts, other than Christmas perhaps. However, since even Ascension Sunday tends to be low-key, I would suggest that there is a less obvious reason as well. That reason is that modernist progressive church leaders and scholars have been uncomfortable with the reality of the Ascension. For the Ascension stresses both the physical aspects of our Lord's Resurrection and the miraculous nature of His descent from and return to the Father's heavenly realm (Acts 1:1-11).
So one thing that orthodox Christians can do is to stress the reality and factual importance of Christ's Ascension. It is a major event in the series that includes the Annunciation, Incarnation, Passion and Resurrection. The Ascension is also an event which points toward Pentecost. As Christ tells His followers more than once in the "Farewell Discourses" in the Gospel according to St. John, His return to the Father will lead to a new and powerful working of God the Holy Spirit among them. Christ's return to heaven means that the mission of His disciples can become less local and more universal.
Christ's Ascension also means that His followers everywhere have a heavenly mediator and intercessor at the right hand of the Father. From heaven, our Lord Jesus Christ watches over us in all places and at all times. He intercedes for our physical, mental and spiritual well-being and our eternal salvation. His Ascension reminds us of all that He has done and is doing to pour His grace into our lives. Alleluia. Christ our Lord has ascended into heaven; O come, let us adore him. Alleluia!
Why is Christ's Ascension neglected? One obvious reason is that Ascension Day is a week day, and many modern Christians cannot or will not observe weekday feasts, other than Christmas perhaps. However, since even Ascension Sunday tends to be low-key, I would suggest that there is a less obvious reason as well. That reason is that modernist progressive church leaders and scholars have been uncomfortable with the reality of the Ascension. For the Ascension stresses both the physical aspects of our Lord's Resurrection and the miraculous nature of His descent from and return to the Father's heavenly realm (Acts 1:1-11).
So one thing that orthodox Christians can do is to stress the reality and factual importance of Christ's Ascension. It is a major event in the series that includes the Annunciation, Incarnation, Passion and Resurrection. The Ascension is also an event which points toward Pentecost. As Christ tells His followers more than once in the "Farewell Discourses" in the Gospel according to St. John, His return to the Father will lead to a new and powerful working of God the Holy Spirit among them. Christ's return to heaven means that the mission of His disciples can become less local and more universal.
Christ's Ascension also means that His followers everywhere have a heavenly mediator and intercessor at the right hand of the Father. From heaven, our Lord Jesus Christ watches over us in all places and at all times. He intercedes for our physical, mental and spiritual well-being and our eternal salvation. His Ascension reminds us of all that He has done and is doing to pour His grace into our lives. Alleluia. Christ our Lord has ascended into heaven; O come, let us adore him. Alleluia!
Saturday, May 9, 2020
Easter 5 (A)- Farewell Discourses
The Gospel selection for this Sunday is from John 14:1-14. This
passage begins the portion of John's Gospel often called the "Farewell
Discourses" (John 14:1-17:26). It is part of Christ's effort on Maundy
Thursday evening to summarize key teachings and prepare His followers
for coming events: His death, resurrection, ascension and the new
outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
For good and bad reasons, the first part of today's Gospel may be familiar to many people as a "funeral passage" because John 14:1-6 has been read at many burial services. The good aspect is that these hope-filled words of our Lord are appropriate for Christian views of death. The negative aspect is that we should not limit our understanding or appreciation of the words to the funeral context. John 14 applies to the whole Christian understanding of life and death, and it is very fitting to see our selection in the Easter context of Christ's resurrection.
In John 14, Jesus uses the ordinary imagery of a hospitable home to describe the kingdom of heaven. There will be an appropriate place prepared for all the faithful. The disciples are troubled and anxious about many matters. They have not and do not understand all He says, but they sense that their relationship with Jesus is changing. The little group that has developed around Him over three years will no longer be the same. The dramatic events of Christ's death, resurrection and ascension will separate them from His physical worldly presence.
So in spite of His own sufferings and the disciples' failings, Christ offers His followers strengthening words. He points to God the Father's care for them and to His continuing unity with the heavenly Father. Regardless of changing earthly circumstances, they must trust in the Father and in Christ. The Lord will return to take them to be with Him. For He is unique. He is the way, and the truth, and the life (John 14:6). Having confidence in Jesus, the one who reveals God and is the unique way to God, is the means of moving beyond all the uncertainties, trials and dangers of earthly life into true life. In light of Christ's resurrection, our faith and hope should grow ever stronger!.
For good and bad reasons, the first part of today's Gospel may be familiar to many people as a "funeral passage" because John 14:1-6 has been read at many burial services. The good aspect is that these hope-filled words of our Lord are appropriate for Christian views of death. The negative aspect is that we should not limit our understanding or appreciation of the words to the funeral context. John 14 applies to the whole Christian understanding of life and death, and it is very fitting to see our selection in the Easter context of Christ's resurrection.
In John 14, Jesus uses the ordinary imagery of a hospitable home to describe the kingdom of heaven. There will be an appropriate place prepared for all the faithful. The disciples are troubled and anxious about many matters. They have not and do not understand all He says, but they sense that their relationship with Jesus is changing. The little group that has developed around Him over three years will no longer be the same. The dramatic events of Christ's death, resurrection and ascension will separate them from His physical worldly presence.
So in spite of His own sufferings and the disciples' failings, Christ offers His followers strengthening words. He points to God the Father's care for them and to His continuing unity with the heavenly Father. Regardless of changing earthly circumstances, they must trust in the Father and in Christ. The Lord will return to take them to be with Him. For He is unique. He is the way, and the truth, and the life (John 14:6). Having confidence in Jesus, the one who reveals God and is the unique way to God, is the means of moving beyond all the uncertainties, trials and dangers of earthly life into true life. In light of Christ's resurrection, our faith and hope should grow ever stronger!.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)