Sunday, May 21, 2023

Sixth Sunday of Easter

The Revised Common Lectionary passages for the Lord’s Day are:
– First Reading: Acts 1:6-14
– Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35
– Second Reading: I Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11
– Gospel Reading: John 17:1-11

The text for the Feast of the Ascension (Thursday, May 21) are:
– First Reading: Acts 1:1-11
– Psalm 47:1-9 or 93:1-5
– Second Reading: Ephesians 1:15-23
– Gospel Reading: Luke 24:44-53

The liturgical color for the day is: White

It is appropriate to preach from the given texts for the 7^th Sunday of Easter or use the texts from the Ascension of the Lord.

The Ascension of the Lord is one of the festival days that occurs on the liturgical calendar that does not fall on a Sunday.  The day has been on the liturgical calendar since the 4^th century, and by tradition the day has been celebrated on the 40^th day of Easter—this year that falls on Thursday, May 18, 2023.  (Recall that the season of Easter lasts 50 days.)

This far into the season of Easter, and the Sunday before the Day of Pentecost, the dynamic movements in the story of the ascension are worth noting. 

From blessing to worship to great joy—those movements are gifts to us.  Just at that moment when we don’t feel any joy…when we can be about to pull our hair out in frustration …or when the blahs come along…stop.  Here is what we are to do—stop right in our tracks.  Lift up your head.  Lift it up.  Look up.  See that Jesus is blessing you. 

See that Jesus is blessing you and allow that joy to inhabit you.  Just look up and worship for a moment and allow that blessing of God to fill you.  It is there…

—

Rev. Dr. Daris Bultena
General Presbyter and Stated Clerk