The Ascension of Our Lord
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series III
Something of a minor liturgical controversy surrounds the celebration of the Ascension of our Lord. It has to do with whether the ascension should be celebrated as an historical event occurring exactly forty days after Easter, or whether it is an integral part of the entire Easter event and should simply be considered an inclusive element in the Fifty Days of the Pasch. In the Gospels and epistles, the ascension occurs at various times, beginning with the evening of the resurrection and culminating in Paul's vision of the risen Lord on the road to Damascus (which Paul treats as a visitation from the risen and ascended Savior). Numerous parishes continue to celebrate the Ascension of our Lord with special services on the Fortieth Day of Easter, extinguishing the paschal candle and removing it from the chancel of the church. More often than not, it is placed by the font and lit for services of baptism, symbolizing the relationship between baptism and the Easter event. The Roman Catholic Church, following a principle enunciated by the Joint Liturgical Group of Great Britain in the mid 1960s which provided for most festivals to be moved to Sundays, offers a rubric that allows the Ascension of Our Lord to be celebrated the following Sunday. The theological advantage of celebrating the ascension is that it gives emphasis to the completion of the Easter event, allowing Pentecost to stand separately not only as the Fiftieth Day of Easter, but as the gracious gift of the Father and the risen/ascended Son to confirm the presence of the risen Lord. Without the ascension, Jesus would have become some sort of ghostly figure, or a "localized" and limited apparition, who appeared visibly in every age to all sorts of people - a land-locked Christ at best. Faith would depend largely upon seeing the risen Lord, rather than upon hearing the Good News and responding, through the work of the Holy Spirit, in faith, hope, and love.
The Prayer of the Day
The first of two collects for Ascension Day in the Book of Common Prayer is compatible with the contemporary interpretation of the ascension:
Almighty God, whose blessed Son our Savior Jesus Christ ascended far above all heavens that he might fill all things: Mercifully give us faith to perceive that, according to his promise, he abides with his church on earth, even to the end of the ages; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting.
The Psalm of the Day
Psalm 47 (E); 47:1-2, 5-8 (R) - The same psalms are used each year. Comments on Psalm 47 can be located in the Lectionary Preaching Workbook III, Cycle A.
Psalm 110 (L); 110:1-5 (E) - This psalm also receives consideration in the Lectionary Preaching Workbook III, Cycle A.
The Psalm Prayer (LBW)
Almighty God, make known in every place the perfect offering of your Son, the eternal high priest of the New Jerusalem, and so consecrate all nations to be your holy people, that the Kingdom of Christ, your anointed one, may come in its fullness; and to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be all honor and praise now and forever.
The readings:
Acts 1:1-11
Homiletical commentary is offered for this first reading in the Lectionary Preaching Workbook III, Cycle A. It remains the same in all three cycles/years/series of the lectionaries.
Ezekiel 1:3-5a, 15-22, 26-28 (E)
The alternate first reading in the Book of Common Prayer is one of two lections that changes from year to year. (The other is the Gospel in the Roman Catholic Ordo.) It describes Ezekiel's vision of the glory of God, which came to him in wind and cloud and fire, first as four winged and living creatures who, according to contemporary UFO buffs, must have had a wheel-shaped space ship as their means of space travel. The "wheel" - and there was one for each of the four living creatures - seems to have functioned much in the manner of so-called "flying saucers." Above the creatures and their wheels, Ezekiel saw a throne with "a likeness as it were of a human form." Fire and brightness were all around the "form." "Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness of the Lord." When Ezekiel saw this vision of the Lord, he fell on his face and heard God speak directly to him. It is probably Ezekiel's vision of the throne of God, which parallels verses 19 and 20 of Mark, that prompted the Episcopal Church to select this reading.
Ephesians 1:15-23 (E); 1:16-23 (L, C); 1:17-23 (R)
See the comments included in the Lectionary Preaching Workbook III, Cycle A.
Acts 1:1-11 (E)
Homiletical commentary contained in the Lectionary Preaching Workbook III, Cycle A applies to this reading.
Luke 24:44-53 (L, C); 24:49-53 (E)
As mentioned above, comments on this reading may also be found in the Lectionary Preaching Workbook III, Cycle A.
Mark 16:15-20 (R); 16:9-15, 19-20 (E)
The Roman Catholic Ordo and the Book of Common Prayer, in the selection of this reading, seem to follow the lead of the Jerusalem Bible which does not separate verses 9-20 from the previous part of this sixteenth chapter of Mark but simply continues the resurrection story to its completion in the ascension. A rubric in the Jerusalem Bible reads: "Many MSS omit vv 9-20 and this ending to the gospel may not have been written by Mark, Though it is old enough." In verse 9, Mark mentions that Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene, then to two disciples (Cleopas and a friend), and then to the Eleven. It contains Jesus' command to the Eleven to go into all of the world and baptize people who believe the Gospel, listing the works and wonders that they will be able to do, and finally, culminates in a brief account of Jesus' ascension into heaven, adding "there at the right hand of God he took his place." The Lord worked with them as they preached the word in the world.
A Sermon on the Gospel
Suggestions and "sermon starters" for the Acts, Ephesians, and Luke readings are contained in the Lectionary Preaching Workbook III, Cycle A.
A Sermon on the First Lesson, Ezekiel 1:3-5a, 15-22, 16-28 (E) - "A Frightening Vision of God."
1. What Ezekiel saw of God in Heaven drove him to his knees in fear and wonder. He had never seen - nor ever wanted to see - anything like it. It scared him half to death.
2. The Ascension of the Lord places Jesus upon that throne and, through the cross and resurrection, replaces fear with wonder and love.
3. The Lord spoke before he ascended to the throne, commanding his followers to do his work - that is, preach the Good News in the world.
4. Like Ezekiel, we prostrate ourselves before the risen and ascended Christ, but he calls us to our feet as his servants and witnesses. Alleluia!
A Sermon on the Second Lesson, Mark 16:15-20 (R); 16:9-15, 19-20 (E) - "Ascent to the Throne."
1. It was to the throne that Ezekiel saw that the Lord ascend - not a piece of furniture near the Father, but the rightful place of the ruler of the earth.
2. He not only rules over the kingdom he initiated, but he also participates in the work of the kingdom through his word and his Holy Spirit.
3. As we bow before him today, his words pull us to our feet and send us into the world to witness, preach, teach, and baptize in his holy name.
4. That work - his work in the world - bears fruit and will continue until his return at the end of time.
The Prayer of the Day
The first of two collects for Ascension Day in the Book of Common Prayer is compatible with the contemporary interpretation of the ascension:
Almighty God, whose blessed Son our Savior Jesus Christ ascended far above all heavens that he might fill all things: Mercifully give us faith to perceive that, according to his promise, he abides with his church on earth, even to the end of the ages; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting.
The Psalm of the Day
Psalm 47 (E); 47:1-2, 5-8 (R) - The same psalms are used each year. Comments on Psalm 47 can be located in the Lectionary Preaching Workbook III, Cycle A.
Psalm 110 (L); 110:1-5 (E) - This psalm also receives consideration in the Lectionary Preaching Workbook III, Cycle A.
The Psalm Prayer (LBW)
Almighty God, make known in every place the perfect offering of your Son, the eternal high priest of the New Jerusalem, and so consecrate all nations to be your holy people, that the Kingdom of Christ, your anointed one, may come in its fullness; and to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be all honor and praise now and forever.
The readings:
Acts 1:1-11
Homiletical commentary is offered for this first reading in the Lectionary Preaching Workbook III, Cycle A. It remains the same in all three cycles/years/series of the lectionaries.
Ezekiel 1:3-5a, 15-22, 26-28 (E)
The alternate first reading in the Book of Common Prayer is one of two lections that changes from year to year. (The other is the Gospel in the Roman Catholic Ordo.) It describes Ezekiel's vision of the glory of God, which came to him in wind and cloud and fire, first as four winged and living creatures who, according to contemporary UFO buffs, must have had a wheel-shaped space ship as their means of space travel. The "wheel" - and there was one for each of the four living creatures - seems to have functioned much in the manner of so-called "flying saucers." Above the creatures and their wheels, Ezekiel saw a throne with "a likeness as it were of a human form." Fire and brightness were all around the "form." "Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness of the Lord." When Ezekiel saw this vision of the Lord, he fell on his face and heard God speak directly to him. It is probably Ezekiel's vision of the throne of God, which parallels verses 19 and 20 of Mark, that prompted the Episcopal Church to select this reading.
Ephesians 1:15-23 (E); 1:16-23 (L, C); 1:17-23 (R)
See the comments included in the Lectionary Preaching Workbook III, Cycle A.
Acts 1:1-11 (E)
Homiletical commentary contained in the Lectionary Preaching Workbook III, Cycle A applies to this reading.
Luke 24:44-53 (L, C); 24:49-53 (E)
As mentioned above, comments on this reading may also be found in the Lectionary Preaching Workbook III, Cycle A.
Mark 16:15-20 (R); 16:9-15, 19-20 (E)
The Roman Catholic Ordo and the Book of Common Prayer, in the selection of this reading, seem to follow the lead of the Jerusalem Bible which does not separate verses 9-20 from the previous part of this sixteenth chapter of Mark but simply continues the resurrection story to its completion in the ascension. A rubric in the Jerusalem Bible reads: "Many MSS omit vv 9-20 and this ending to the gospel may not have been written by Mark, Though it is old enough." In verse 9, Mark mentions that Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene, then to two disciples (Cleopas and a friend), and then to the Eleven. It contains Jesus' command to the Eleven to go into all of the world and baptize people who believe the Gospel, listing the works and wonders that they will be able to do, and finally, culminates in a brief account of Jesus' ascension into heaven, adding "there at the right hand of God he took his place." The Lord worked with them as they preached the word in the world.
A Sermon on the Gospel
Suggestions and "sermon starters" for the Acts, Ephesians, and Luke readings are contained in the Lectionary Preaching Workbook III, Cycle A.
A Sermon on the First Lesson, Ezekiel 1:3-5a, 15-22, 16-28 (E) - "A Frightening Vision of God."
1. What Ezekiel saw of God in Heaven drove him to his knees in fear and wonder. He had never seen - nor ever wanted to see - anything like it. It scared him half to death.
2. The Ascension of the Lord places Jesus upon that throne and, through the cross and resurrection, replaces fear with wonder and love.
3. The Lord spoke before he ascended to the throne, commanding his followers to do his work - that is, preach the Good News in the world.
4. Like Ezekiel, we prostrate ourselves before the risen and ascended Christ, but he calls us to our feet as his servants and witnesses. Alleluia!
A Sermon on the Second Lesson, Mark 16:15-20 (R); 16:9-15, 19-20 (E) - "Ascent to the Throne."
1. It was to the throne that Ezekiel saw that the Lord ascend - not a piece of furniture near the Father, but the rightful place of the ruler of the earth.
2. He not only rules over the kingdom he initiated, but he also participates in the work of the kingdom through his word and his Holy Spirit.
3. As we bow before him today, his words pull us to our feet and send us into the world to witness, preach, teach, and baptize in his holy name.
4. That work - his work in the world - bears fruit and will continue until his return at the end of time.
