Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Sunday, June 1, 2014
Ascensione di Cristo (The Ascension of Christ), by Dosso Dossi, 16th century, Padua, Italy.
Our Sunday readings through Eastertide have taken us from the empty tomb of Easter morning through mysterious appearances of the risen Christ; then we sat in on Jesus’ final talk with the apostles in John’s story of the Last Supper. Now we come to Jesus’ ascension into heaven, an event recounted only by Luke, in his Gospel and in Acts. Jesus promises the apostles that God’s Holy Spirit will empower them to take the Gospel to all the world. Next week we’ll hear the rest of that story when the Spirit comes in wind and fire on the first Pentecost.
Psalm: Psalm 68:1-10, 33-36
The Psalm begins with troubling warlike images of fleeing enemies dying amid fire and smoke before a powerful God who rides the clouds. But soon it turns to a kinder, gentler narrative: Those who live righteously – who do right by following God’s command to protect the orphan and the widow, to care for the homeless and the imprisoned – will receive God’s favor and blessing.
Second Reading: 1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11
The way of Jesus isn’t always an easy road. At the time of the first letter written in Peter’s name to Gentile Christian communities in Asia Minor (modern Turkey), the people are suffering the “fiery ordeal” of persecution for their faith. The writer can’t stop their suffering, but offers reassurance that in this suffering they share the suffering of Christ and of their Christian brothers and sisters. Resisting evil is hard, but God is with us and gives us the support and strength that we need to endure.
Gospel: John 17:1-11
John’s account of Jesus’ farewell conversation at the Last Supper now approaches its conclusion. In the preceding verses Jesus promised the disciples, “Ask and you will receive,” and warned them that he must soon leave this world and return to the father. Now Jesus turns from his friends at the table and addresses God directly in prayer. He declares that the hour of his death has come. He prays for the disciples, praising them for their faith and trust, and asking God to protect them, to keep them united with each other and with God, and to give them the eternal life that comes through relationship with God in Jesus’ name.
