Sunday Morning Worship, Sunday after the Ascension, June 1, 2025
Holy Communion Service preceded by lessons and canticles from Morning Prayer
Today’s homily begins with a review of where we are in the Church calendar (between the Ascension and Pentecost). One of the things that we may gloss over during this season is the transition of leadership that occurs from Jesus to the Apostles. During the 40 days after Easter and before He ascends, Christ teaches the disciples about Himself and, presumably, how to organize the fledgling church. He also gifts them with the Holy Spirit to lead the New Covenant people of God into holiness and mission. This is not the first time where a transition like this occurs in the Bible. Moses gifts Joshua with instruction and the Spirit in Deuteronomy 34 and when Elijah is ready to be taken into heaven, he similarly gifts Elisha to carry on the prophetic ministry. Through ordination, our bishops and priests are likewise gifted for their roles in the Kingdom of God. More than that, however, every believer, having received the Holy Spirit in baptism and confirmation, is an ambassador for Christ in this world and is called to faithful service to Christ.