21 May 2023 - Seventh Sunday of Easter, Year A

 

Theme

This week’s readings speak about the possible unity of God’s people. In Acts, Jesus ascends into heaven and the disciples unite themselves in prayer as they await the coming Holy Spirit. The Psalmist urges the Israelites to rejoice and praise God together. In 1 Peter, Christians are reminded that their suffering unites them with Christ and each other. In John, Jesus prays that God’s children will be united, as Jesus is united with his Father.

Scripture Readings

  • Acts 1:6-14 - The disciples ask Jesus if the time has come for him to restore Israel’s Kingdom. Jesus responds that it is not important for them to know the times, but they will receive the Holy Spirit’s power and become witnesses to the ends of the earth. Jesus then ascended into the clouds. Two men in white appeared and asked why they were looking up, Jesus will come again in the same way that he left. The disciples return to Jerusalem where they devoted themselves to prayer along with certain women and Jesus’ family.
  • Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 - A cry to God to rid the world of God’s enemies and for God’s people to rejoice and praise God. God is parent to the orphan, defender of widows, providing freedom to prisoners and families for the lonely. The Psalmist refers to God’s liberation of the Israelites from Egypt.
  • 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 - The author encourages Christ followers to not be surprised at the trials they are going to, but be glad because their suffering makes them partners with Christ. Those who are insulted for bearing Christ’s name will be blessed. God’s people should humble themselves who will lift them up in honour at the right time. Stay alert for the devil who prowls around like a lion. After suffering a little while, God’s people will be restored, supported and strengthened.
  • John 17:1-11 - Jesus prays in the garden of Gethsemane. He says the hour has come and asks God to glorify him. The way to eternal like is to know God and Jesus. Jesus brought glory to God by the way he lived. Everything Jesus had is a gift from God. Jesus asks God to protect God’s people so they will be united.

The Context

Thursday is Ascension Day, the day that we remember and reflect on Jesus’ ascension into heaven after his appearances on earth in his resurrected body. Some churches choose to host a midweek service of some kind to honour this occasion. For those who choose not to do this, this week’s lectionary readings provide an opportunity to further reflect on the ascension of Jesus as we bring the season of Easter to a close on Sunday.

Personal Application

After Jesus ascended from earth, the disciples were left with the promise of the Holy Spirit’s presence and power to help them witness to the world. I find it fascinating that instead of running off to preach and “test” out this supposed new power, the disciples returned to their beloved group of friends and family and spent time in prayer, awaiting the arrival and direction of the Holy Spirit.

How often do we feel inspired by something and rush off to act in our enthusiasm? Action is good, but it needs to come from a place of prayerful consideration.

Jesus often retreated into the wilderness or times of silence before ministering to God’s people. Speaking and acting from this place of centering himself in God’s presence gave him clarity of heart and mind.

How much time do we spend prayerfully contemplating our thoughts and desires? Try to find some time this week to intentionally draw away, either alone or with close friends or family, and seek where God might be leading you to act in the world.

Communal Application

In many Christian circles, suffering is something to be avoided and “prayed away.” The common belief is that if we trust in God enough, we will experience smooth sailing through life and be sheltered from any bad things happening to us.

Unfortunately, Jesus and the gospel authors seem to think of differently. The author of 1 Peter claims that Christians WILL experience suffering and God will be glorified in our suffering. This does not mean that the suffering we experience is caused by God, but that God promises to still be present in our suffering and God can and will work in the midst of our suffering.

We should not be disheartened about our suffering because Jesus himself was the suffering servant and therefore can relate to our suffering like none other. In fact, like Jesus prayed, our suffering unites us to Christ as Jesus is united to God. Jesus’ desire is that we would be united in our suffering, not divided because of it.

How do we understand suffering in our churches? How can we respect and honour a person’s suffering, without celebrating it or being inconsiderate to their pain? Could we find ways to be united in our compassion so that we may draw nearer to each other and to God?

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