The Lord be with you!
Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!
Alleluia!

The Seventh Sunday of Easter, being the 43rd day out of 49 in the season, is the only Sunday in between Ascension Day and the Day of Pentecost. Those disciples, soon to be apostles, might have been tempted to “count the days” after Jesus left their sight. It seems to be what we’re all doing these days, since our daily routine received its rude awakening a couple months ago! But this Sunday’s Collect of the Day helps us turn our attention from the days of our Lord’s perceived absence to the great promises that lie ahead. Note that the prayer this time is addressed directly to the Ascended, yet ever-present Jesus.

Let us pray:
O King of glory, Lord of hosts, uplifted in triumph far above all heavens,
leave us not without consolation but send us the Spirit of truth whom You promised from the Father;
for You live and reign with Him and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Acts 1:12-26
Since this is the Sunday situated between Ascension and Pentecost, the reading from Acts chapter 1 connects those two historical accounts, using the actual events of those intervening ten days. The group of 120, a significant number, followed the directions of written Scripture to replace Judas with another sufficiently qualified disciple. Matthias won the toss, which implies that God Himself made the choice. What is most important is the prayer that accompanied the procedure- a full devotion of the entire ministry of the Word to the Lord who gave it to the Church and promised to bless us through preaching to this very day.

1 Peter 4:12-19; 5:6-11
This reading would have been on the schedule for this Sunday whether or not there was a pandemic! But the words apply to us at any time we feel overwhelmed with trials of any sort. We should not assume that it is something new when we suffer. On the contrary, blessed are we! In the meantime, we heed the warning to be sober and vigilant against the adversary who like a roaring lion seeks to devour us. He uses sufferings, too, but only the God of all grace promises that after the suffering He will perfect, establish and strengthen us.

John 17:1-11
John 17 records Jesus’ high priestly prayer. It is a window for us into the close relationship that the Son of God in human flesh had with the Almighty Father. There’s more to this prayer, however, than simply how close and familiar Jesus spoke with Him. In the very words He spoke, our Lord outlines for us the road map for our own prayer life with the Father. We have been given an important distinction in this prayer- we who follow Christ are not of the world. Normally, the term “world” refers to the beautifully arranged creation that God gave us. But here, as Jesus prays for all who follow Him, He excludes that part of the world that has rejected Him and His salvation. Thanks to His ascension, He prays, even now, for us, and of that we can be comforted and certain!

Many things in this world can try to leave us without consolation and dispirited. Our own sins, failings and doubts compound what we feel with the truth that we are unable to help ourselves. But the ascended Lord Jesus has not left us alone without help. He has promised to be with us. He has prayed to the Father on our behalf to make us one with Him and with one another. No amount of suffering or trial can remove us from that blessing; instead, the temporary difficulties ensure that we belong in His glorious love forever!

Here’s Hymn 492, stanza 3:
O grant, dear Lord, this grace to me, Recalling Your ascension,
That I may serve You faithfully In thanks for my redemption;
And then, when all my days will cease,
Let me depart in joy and peace In answer to my pleading.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Christ is Risen!
He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia.
God bless you!

Pr. Stirdivant