Recent Articles, Easter 7, Ascension, June 1, 2025
Easter 7
Lectionary Easter 7, June 1, Year C
The Gospel in June, 2025
The Ascension, May 29
Commentary Ascension, May 29
The Ascension
Ascension – Start of the Mission of the Church
Visual Lectionary, May 29, 2025
Ascension Art
Thy Kingdom Come, May 29-June 8
Thy Kingdom Come
Prayers from Ascension to Pentecost – 9 days
The Ascension
The New Testament treats the Ascension as an integral part of the Easter event.
It is the final appearance Jesus’ physical and resurrected presence on earth. It is the final component of the paschal mystery, which consists also of Jesus’ Passion, Crucifixion, Death, Burial, Descent Among the Dead, and Resurrection.
Along with the resurrection, the ascension functioned as a proof of Jesus’ claim that he was the Messiah. The Ascension is also the event whereby humanity was taken into heaven. There is a promise he will come back again.
So when is it ? The Ascension in Luke 24 is on Easter Sunday evening or, at the latest, the next day; in John 20, sometime between the appearance to Mary Magdalene (who is told not to touch the risen One because he has not yet ascended) and the appearance to Thomas (who is invited to touch him); in Acts 1, after the forty days (which, however, are symbolic of the time of revelation; there may be no intention to suggest that the ascension actually “occurred” on the fortieth day). We celebrate Ascension on the 40th day.
The main scriptural references to the Ascension are Mark:16:19, Luke:24:51, and Acts:1:2 and vvs. 8-10. Luke 24 says "While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven". In Acts " he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen." Jesus commissions his followers, rather than simply blessing them; and we have an appearance from two men in white robes.
Mount Olivet, near Bethany, is designated as the place where Christ left the earth. The feast falls on this Thursday, May 9 and it is one of the most solemn in the calendar, ranking with the feasts of the Passion, Easter and Pentecost.
Ascension – Start of the Mission of the Church
The Ascension is the beginning of the church’s mission.
1. It is powered by the Spirit
2. It is a call to be witnesses
3. It is worldwide is scope
The Ascension holds the promise of Christ’s return.
WHAT? What Happened to Jesus.
A. He ascended to a place invisible to the mortal eye
1. Acts 1:9 “A cloud received him out of their sight”
2. He did not go up into some mountain that was covered with clouds as some men have speculated.
B. Luke 24:51 “And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.”
1. He is on the right hand of God
2. I Peter 3:22 “Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto Him.”
Where is heaven ? When the early church confessed that Jesus had ascended into heaven, the emphasis was not so much on a place – the emphasis was on God’s immediate presence. The church was confessing that Jesus had entered into the divine glory – that the risen Jesus now dwelt in the immediate presence of God. This may explain the meaning of the phrase, "a cloud took him out of their sight" (Acts 1:9). Oftentimes in scripture, a cloud represents the shekinah glory of God, the sign of God’s presence (cf. Exo. 33:7-11; Mark 9:7).
Ascension Lectionary
I.Theme – The Ascension and its implications for the church
"The Ascension" – Catherine Andrews
The lectionary readings are here or individually:
Old Testament – Acts 1:1-11
Psalm – Psalm 47 Page 650, BCP
Psalm – Psalm 93 Page 722, BCP
Epistle –Ephesians 1:15-23
Gospel – Luke 24:44-53
Visual Lectionary Vanderbilt, Ascension, May 29, 2025
Click here to view in a new window.
Ascension Art
The Ascension has always been a challenge to understand through the scriptures. Artists have played a role in giving us a visual depiction of the event. They have been doing this for over a 1000 years.
By the 6th century the iconography of the Ascension had been established and by the 9th century Ascension scenes were being depicted on domes of churches.
There are many traditions in Ascension art.
In some representations there may be no mountain and he may be climbing a mandorla, or be lifted towards Heaven in a mandorla by angels.
In the Eastern Church and in some western paintings, the Virgin Mary is at the center of the group of Apostles (representing the Church) who look upwards towards the ascending Christ.
In Romanesque depictions sometimes just the feet of Christ are shown as he disappears up into the clouds; this depiction became the most popular in Northern Europe, where it lingered in provincial wood reliefs until well after the Reformation.
Ascension scenes fall naturally into two zones, an upper heavenly part and a lower earthly part. The ascending Christ may be carrying a resurrection banner or make a sign of benediction with his right hand. The blessing gesture by Christ with his right hand is directed towards the earthly group below him and signifies that he is blessing the entire Church. In the left hand he may be holding a Gospel or a scroll, signifying teaching and preaching. From the Renaissance on the angels may not be present.
The earthly part of the Ascension depictions do not only represent those believed to have been present at the Ascension, but the entire Church. In some Ascension depictions both Apostle Paul and the Virgin Mary may be present. Given Paul converted to Christianity after the Ascension, and that the New Testament does not directly place the Virgin Mary at the Ascension, these depictions represent "the Church" rather than the specific individuals
More modern views often omit the disciples focusing on Jesus. The sky in many cases is not specifically shown and he is alone. One of the most radical is Dali’s horizontal Jesus. Another type of image is a three dimensional space emphasizing Christ’s movement, accompanied by brilliant colors.
Thy Kingdom Come, 2025 -Ascension
“Thy Kingdom Come” is celebrating its 9 year anniversary in 2025. Since May 2016, The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and the people of Thy Kingdom Come have been bringing the world together in prayer. St Peter’s has been part of this international prayer initiative for several years. Here is the website.
In the Gospel according to Luke, before Jesus ascended, he told the disciples to go to back to Jerusalem and await the coming of the Holy Spirit. They did as he asked, spent ten days absorbed in prayer as they waited, and the Holy Spirit came upon them at Pentecost.
Through these prayerful disciples, the Holy Spirit brought the Church to birth. Following the example of these disciples, we can spend time in intentional prayer praying for people around the world to be filled with the Spirit and to come to know Jesus more fully.
So What we can do to participate?
1. Review previous playlists
2024 Play list
2023 Play list
2022 Play list
2021 Play list
2. Pray for 5 people
From the Archbishop of Canterbury:
Download the card. This card will easily fit inside your wallet, purse or book. Choose five people you would regularly like to pray for and write their names down onto a list. If you’re not sure who to pray for, ask God to guide you as you choose. Once you have settled on 5 names, commit to praying for them regularly. Use this card as a daily reminder to pray for them.
Once you have settled on 5 names, commit to praying for them regularly by praying the following: Loving Father, in the face of Jesus Christ your light and glory have blazed forth. Send your Holy Spirit that I may share with my friends [here, name your friends] the life of your Son and your love for all. Strengthen me as a witness to that love as I pledge to pray for them, for your name’s sake. Amen.3. Go deeper with a 2025 Prayer Journal
Each day there are a few things to read, a prayer to offer and then an invitation for you to make your own reflections on what it means to follow in the way of Christ. You don’t have to write anything down, but you may find it helpful.
4. Prayers from Ascension to Pentecost
The nine days from Ascension Day to the Eve of Pentecost are the original novena–nine days of prayer.
Before he ascended, Jesus ordered the disciples not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there to be baptized by the Holy Spirit. After his Ascension, they returned to the upper room in Jerusalem where they devoted themselves to prayer. These last days of the Great Fifty Days of Easter can be a time for us to prepare for the celebration of Pentecost.
5. Listen to the Bishop Tom Wright’s podcast. Wright is a both a prominent theologian and author. He was the Bishop of Durham from 2003 to 2010. He then became Research Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at St Mary’s College in the University of St Andrews in Scotland until 2019, when he became a senior research fellow at Oxford University. He has written over 70 books but has specialized in Paul.
In a 2003 interview, he said that he could never remember a time when he was not aware of the presence and love of God and recalled an occasion when he was four or five when “sitting by myself at Morpeth and being completely overcome, coming to tears, by the fact that God loved me so much he died for me.”
Here is the complete collection.
6. Other resources.
Firstly, they have introduced new daily themes for our resources. These themes focus on the character of God – ‘Our Father in Heaven’ – the One to whom we are petitioning and inviting people to know, to love and to serve.
Secondly, this year they are introducing a new sub-theme ‘Living the Kingdom’. Whilst Thy Kingdom Come will always have its focus as a call to prayer for evangelism we want to invite participants to go one step further. Mission always comes from the place of prayer, so how can we in this time go the extra mile, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to love and serve those we are praying for or others who are in need? This is about living the Kingdom – individually and corporately – in our context.
Finally, returning to the early days of TKC, they are encouraging Christians to gather together (in-person where possible) and collaborate ecumenically locally, regionally and nationally – being a truly united witness to the world.
For families, there is an 11-part children’s video series called Cheeky Pandas – packed with Bible stories, prayers, animation, worship songs and interviews with special guests including Adventurer, Bear Grylls, CBeebies Presenter Gemma Hunt, Revd Nicky Gumbel (HTB and Alpha) and Pastor Agu and Shola (Jesus House) to name a few. The video series (which will be available from early April onwards) can be used as part of church at home, gathered church (online and offline) and in school assemblies. Similar to last year, the series will be the main content in the Family Prayer Adventure Map and App.
Prayers from Ascension to Pentecost – 9 days
Almighty God,
your ascended Son has sent us into the world
to preach the good news of your kingdom:
inspire us with your Spirit
and fill our hearts with the fire of your love,
that all who hear your Word
may be drawn to you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The nine days from Ascension Day to the Eve of Pentecost are the original novena–nine days of prayer. Before he ascended, Jesus ordered the disciples not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there to be baptized by the Holy Spirit. After his Ascension, they returned to the upper room in Jerusalem where they devoted themselves to prayer. These last days of the Great Fifty Days of Easter can be a time for us to prepare for the celebration of Pentecost. As we anticipate the coming of the Holy Spirit, this can be a time to pray for renewal in the Spirit and a time to reflect on the gifts which the Spirit bestows on the Church.
The Traditional names of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit are: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord. They are, in reality, supernatural graces for a more perfect Christian life.
The Gifts of the Spirit help us to be more conformed to Christ, make us more docile to His suggestions, more submissive to His inspirations, and more pliable to His directions. If we remain open to these Gifts and cooperate with them, we will become ever more the persons God wants us to be — other Christs
Three of the Gifts (fear, Piety, and Fortitude) perfect the will. The other four (Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, and Knowledge) perfect the intellect. They are united by love, by which the Holy Spirit dwells in us.
Opening our hearts to God’s will in our own lives and praying for God’s kingdom to be fully realized and complete on earth is our job as Christians
First Day – Importance of the Gifts – May 29
“The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him: the Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel and Fortitude, the Spirit of Knowledge and Piety. And he shall be filled with the Spirit of the Fear of the Lord” –Is 11:2-3
Come, O Holy Spirit, the Lord and Lifegiver: Take up your dwelling within my soul and make of it your sacred temple. Make me live by grace as an adopted child of God. Pervade all the energies of my soul, and create in me a fountain of living water springing up into life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Father, one God, in Trinity of Persons, now and forever. Amen.
Action – Pray for five people who need to know Jesus in their lives. Pray for them every day during Thy Kingdom Come, and then keep praying for them.
Second Day – Wisdom – May 30
“I called upon God, and the Spirit of Wisdom came upon me.” –Wis 7:7
Come, O Spirit of Wisdom, and reveal to me the mysteries of divine things, their greatness, and power, and beauty. Teach me to love them above and beyond all the transient joys and satisfactions of the mortal world. Show me the way by which I may be able to attain to them and participate in them forever; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Father, one God, in Trinity of Persons, now and forever. Amen
Action item— Pray for Port Royal, for all the families and children and churches in our town, for those who lead, for those who work, and worship in Port Royal, for those who visit. Ask God about how you can make help God’s kingdom to become a reality in Port Royal.
Third Day – Understanding – May 31
“Forget not My Law, and let your heart keep My Commandments … And you shall find grace and Understanding.” –Prv 3:1-4
Come, O Spirit of Understanding, and enlighten my mind, that I may know and believe all of the mysteries of salvation and discern your hand at work in the world. Teach me to see with your eyes that I may apply my heart unto wisdom in this life and be made worthy to attain to the vision glorious in the life to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Father, one God, in Trinity of Persons, now and forever. Amen.
Action item – Pray for St Peter’s. Pray for our church, for the Vestry, for all who serve, that we may fully welcome in the reign of God and to discern how God is asking us how best to carry God’s love out into the world.
Fourth Day – Counsel – June 1
“Counsel will watch over you, and understanding will guard you.” –Prv 2:11
Come, O Spirit of Counsel, help and guide me in all my ways, that I may always do your holy will. Incline my heart to that which is good, turn it away from all that is evil, and direct me by the path of him who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life to the goal of eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Father, one God, in Trinity of Persons, now and forever. Amen.
Action item – Pray for the Fredericksburg Region, and for The Diocese of Virginia, that this network of Christians may come together in powerful witness to God’s love out in the world.
Fifth Day – Fortitude – June 2
“Stephen, full of grace and Fortitude, was working great signs and wonders among the people.” – Acts 6:8
Come, O Spirit of Fortitude, and give courage to my soul. Make my heart strong in all trials and in all distress, generously pouring strength into it that I may be able to resist the allurements of the world, the flesh, and the devil; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Father, one God, in Trinity of Persons, now and forever. Amen.
Action item -Pray for all who come to the Village Harvest Food Distribution for food, and for all who make the food distribution possible, including The Healthy Harvest Food Bank.
Sixth Day – Knowledge – June 3
“Let your heart apply itself to instruction and your ears to words of Knowledge.” – Prv 23:12
Come, O Spirit of Knowledge, and make me understand the emptiness and chaos of life without you. Give me grace to recognize the goodness of the whole creation and to honor the Creator by using the world only for your glory and for the benefit and the salvation of all whom you have made; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Father, one God, in Trinity of Persons, now and forever. Amen.
Pray for our nation. Study the news, and pray that God will enter into the situations you read about and making healing possible.
Seventh Day – Piety – June 4
“Piety is profitable in all respects for it has the promise of the present life as well as that which is to come.” –1 Tm 4:8
Come, O Spirit of Piety, possess my heart; incline it to a true faith in you, to a holy love of you, my God, that with my whole being I may seek you, and find you to be my best, my tuest joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Father, one God, in Trinity of Persons, now and forever. Amen.
Action item – Pray for the Church around the world, that it will experience a revival and that the Holy Spirit may bring new life into its mission and ministry.
Eighth Day – Holy Awe [Fear] – June 5
“The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” –Wis 1:12
Come, O Spirit of Holy Awe, penetrate my inmost heart, that I may set you, my Lord and God, before my face forever. In joy and wonder may I be made worthy to appear before the pure eyes of your divine Majesty and behold your glory face to face in the heaven of heavens, where you live and reign in the unity of the Ever-blessed Trinity, now and forever. Amen.
Action item – Take an hour to pray The Lord’s Prayer.
Ninth Day – June 6
Come, O Holy Comforter, come in all your fullness and power. Enrich us in our poverty, inflame us in our feebleness, melt our hearts with your love. Make us wholly yours, until your gifts are ours and we are lost in you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Father, one God, in Trinity of Persons, now and forever. Amen.
Action item – —Spirit of truth, breathe life into us and move us to new places. Help us to see the ways in which we have power and resources to change the world, and urge u s to use what we have for the good of all. Through the one who motivates us into new living. Jesus Christ, Amen
Gospel in June, 2025
June 1 -The Seventh Sunday of Easter: The Sunday after Ascension Day—John 17:20-26
As Jesus prays for his disciples before his death, his focus is on the unity that he and God share, and his request that we may share this unity, so that the world will come to know God. The world will know God through the love of God that we, the disciples, share with the world.
June 8 – Day of Pentecost – John 14:8-17, (25-27)
John 14:8-17, 25-27 is part of Jesus’ final discourse to the disciples before his death, sharing the promise that the disciples will not be left alone—that the Holy Spirit will come and be among them.
Jesus tells the disciples about the Advocate, the Spirit. We do not have to fear, because we know God is present with us, always. The Holy Spirit will be with the disciples, continue to instruct them, and to empower the followers to come. That’s us, folks! Troubled hearts, and fear will be taken away by the Spirit. Through the Holy Spirit, God will complete the transformation of our world.
June 15 – Trinity Sunday – John 16:12-15
Jesus promises an Advocate who will lead the disciples into an ever-deeper understanding of all that Jesus has taught them in his time on earth with them. The Spirit will glorify Jesus, as Jesus did the Father, by revealing Jesus to the world. Through the inspiration of the Spirit, the mission of the disciples will be one with that of Jesus.
In verse 15, Jesus says that everything that belongs to God belongs to Jesus, and Jesus promises that the Spirit will take what belongs to Jesus and declare it to us—in other words, the Spirit will speak of God in new ways to us. God will continue to surprise us, to do the unexpected, and be revealed in new ways. Here the verbs are in the present tense in understanding the on-going work that God does with us. The Spirit “guides”, “speaks”, “declare”, and “glorifies.”
June 22 – Second Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 7 – Luke 8:26-39
Luke 8:26-39 is the story of the healing of the Gerasene Demoniac. Jesus turns his attention to the Gentiles by crossing the Sea of Galilee into Gentile territory. There, Jesus meets a man who is possessed by a multitude of demons—so many that they are identified as a legion (the name for a large Roman military unit of 3000 to 6000 men). Jesus confronts the demons and requires that they reveal their name—thus giving Jesus power over them. In a strange twist, the demons beg to be cast into a heard of pigs instead of “going back into the abyss” (vs. 31). The demons enter the pigs and run over a steep bank into a lake and are drowned. Many people were afraid at what Jesus had done and asked him to leave, but the demoniac becomes a disciple, “sitting at the feet of Jesus” conversing with Jesus “in his right mind” and then goes and proclaims Jesus’ message in the city.
June 29 – Third Sunday after Pentecost, Proper 8 – Luke 9:51-62
Today’s reading begins a large section of Luke’s gospel, the great travel narrative (9:51–18:14) telling of Jesus’ journey from Galilee through Samaria towards Jerusalem. It is the turning point of Luke’s account, where Jesus “resolutely set his face toward Jerusalem” and his destiny there. Luke packs the passage with explicit and symbolic statements about the costs of being Jesus’ disciple, in view of Jesus’ journey toward his death.
Lectionary Easter 7, Year C
I.Theme – Forging the glorious unity of God’s people.
" Christ the Redeemer Statue, Rio de Janeiro" – Paul Landowski, 1931
The lectionary readings are here or individually:
Old Testament – Acts 16:16-34
Psalm – Psalm 97
Epistle – Revelation 22:12-14,16-17,20-21
Gospel – John 17:20-26
We were in the middle between Ascension, last Thursday and Easter 7 which looks a week ahead to Pentecost. Easter 7 is a Sunday of Christian unity in the face of the disciples in their uncertainty. This is a result of the events of the recent past, the Resurrection and Ascension.
After his resurrection 40+ days ago, Jesus has appeared to three followers on the road to Emmaus, to Peter, and to those gathered in Jerusalem. When they have thought that they were seeing a ghost, he has invited them to touch his wounds and eats in their presence. The community is not sure of the outcome of all this. Will he stay ? They feel terrified both as to their own safety.
Today’s readings give us a sense of comfort. In today’s readings, we catch a glimpse of the glorious unity of God’s people. Paul and Silas show their concern even for their Gentile jailer, who becomes a believer through their example. John, in his Revelation, describes the believers’ urgent longing for final union with Jesus. In the gospel, Jesus prays for us, who have come to faith and unity in him through the testimony of the disciples
On the night when He was betrayed, Jesus interceded for His Church — for His apostles and all who believe in Him through their word — that all of His disciples “may become perfectly one” in the Father and the Son (John 17:21–23). For Jesus became flesh and dwells among us in order to reveal the Father and His name, to share with us the glory of His righteousness, and to bring us to the Father in Himself. As the Father loved the Son from “before the foundation of the world” (John 17:24), so He loves the whole world (John 17:23, 26). Through the apostolic witness to the baptism, cross and resurrection of Jesus (Acts 1:21–22), the Lord gathers His disciples throughout the world “with one accord,” as one body in Christ (Acts 1:14). And so with one voice and by one Spirit, His Bride prays, “Come!” (Rev. 22:17). And He comes to us. He gives us“the water of life without price” to wash our robes and quench our thirst (Rev. 22:17); and He feeds us from “the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit” (Rev. 22:2).
This Sunday, we are reminded that the world-view we hold now is not the same as the ancient Israelites, nor is it the same as the people of Jesus’ day and of the first century, nor will it be the same in the future. We must be prepared for new understandings and insights, new ways of thinking about and understanding God and God’s works in the world