13 May 2018 - on high

Today's Readings (Audio)

Go into the whole world
and proclaim the gospel to every creature.

Jesus ascends in glory and yet his presence on earth is not lessened. He is with us always until the end of time. This is because he Spirit unites us with him as one body.

striving to preserve the unity of the spirit
through the bond of peace:
one body and one Spirit,

This outpouring of the Spirit means that Jesus can say that it is better that he goes. This new way of being present on the earth is able to reach more broadly than the Jesus could reach as a lone individual. For this new mode of presence to really measure up, though, we need to be filled with the Spirit.

he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem,
but to wait for "the promise of the Father
about which you have heard me speak;
for John baptized with water,
but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

It is the Spirit who unites the body. He is the one who gives us the gifts we have and allows those gifts to work together in harmony to build the kingdom.

And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets,
others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers,
to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry,
for building up the body of Christ

The Ascension means Jesus can be more present to the world than ever. But this only comes to pass to the degree that we as individuals wait for the power from on high, receive the gifts the LORD has for us, and use those gifts to build up the unity of the body.

We tend to underestimate what is the hope that belongs to the call of Jesus, the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones, and the surpassing greatness of his power for us who believe. A good place to start is to receive the spirit of wisdom and revelation which Paul asks from God for the Ephesians. Realizing this hope is the first step to putting it to use and unleashing the full potential of the Ascension in the world.

God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy;
the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.
Sing praise to God, sing praise;
sing praise to our king, sing praise.