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This week we look at connections between the end of Trinity Season and All Saints and Reformation Day (Guy Fawkes Day). The Collect of the Day emphasizes God's protection over true religion and our perseverance in good works. The Epistle from Philippians 1 gives us the assurance of God working in us to produce the fruits of righteousness. The Gospel in Matthew 18 reading teaches the need for radical forgiveness and constant grace. The two Old Testament lessons take us into the book of Proverbs and give us wisdom for the Christian walk.
Today is Holy Trinity Sunday, the Sunday in the church year when we praise God through readings, songs, and the use of our longest creed: the Athanasian Creed, by which we confess most completely our faith in the Triune God revealed through Scripture: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Today we begin Trinity Season of the church year. This year started with Advent and Christmas, the birth and passion of Christ. It continued with Lent and Easter in Christ's death and resurrection. God's promises were fulfilled in the Ascension of Christ to reign with the Father and pouring out of the Holy Spirit for all to come to faith, as John says, “But to all who have received him—those who believe in his name—he has given the right to become God's children— children not born by human parents or by human desire or a husband's decision, but by God.” And so, now, the second part of Peter's Pentecost sermon makes total sense on this Trinity Sunday. We celebrate our salvation completed and given freely by the true God, whom we know and confess as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Episode 12! I break down what it was like to guide on the Trinity River for the 22/23 steelhead season, prepare you for my stint in Alaska and talk about bullshit. Yep! Fly fishing is filled with tons of it! Hope you enjoy this episode. Please subscribe! BUY THE HOT STUFF DEVIL STICKER HERE: https://tacoflyco.com/collections/stickers/products/hot-stuff-steelheader
Thank you for watching Calvary Conversations with Moriah Roters, Trinity Roters, Allie Lewis, and Aundrea Lewis! (SEASON 2 EPISODE 4) CALVARY CONVERSATIONS NEW WEBSITE ~ https://www.calvaryconversations.com DONATE ~ https://tithe.ly/give_new/www/#/tithe... YOUTUBE ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1i6MO4sTDY&list=PLcVJTb3Sa1QPIUqiw0zqhuDESgiq_1Bxl&index=2 Follow us on Instagram ~ https://www.instagram.com/calvaryconv... --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/calvaryconverations/support
"Give Us This Day, Evening Edition" is a unique devotional commentary for the entire Church Year according to the Daily Lectionary of the Book of Common Prayer (1928). We join our reading of the Second Lesson from Evening Prayer with the reading of countless Christians, who read these Scriptures to form and transform the soul, more than merely inform the mind.
Sermons from Saint Andrew's is a live recording of the sermons preached from the pulpit of Saint Andrew's Anglican Church in Appomattox, VA, and are presented by Fr. Damien Grout, Rector. On this Twentieth Sunday after Trinity, we pick up on a familiar theme from earlier in Trinity Season, but there's a twist that calls us to examine ourselves and our priorities.
"Give Us This Day, Evening Edition" is a unique devotional commentary for the entire Church Year according to the Daily Lectionary of the Book of Common Prayer (1928). We join our reading of the Second Lesson from Evening Prayer with the reading of countless Christians, who read these Scriptures to form and transform the soul, more than merely inform the mind.
Sermons from Saint Andrew's is a live recording of the sermons preached from the pulpit of Saint Andrew's Anglican Church in Appomattox, VA, and are presented by Fr. Damien Grout, Rector. Throughout the first weeks of Trinity Season, we seek to recognize and cast away from us the deadly sins that keep us from seeing and knowing the truth. Today our Lord leads us into the battle against the deadly sin of wrath.
Das muss man erstmal schaffen: einer bipolaren Stadt wie Berlin die passende Hymne auf den wilden Leib zu schneidern. Mit „Ich steh auf Berlin“ gelang es Annette Humpe 1980 auf unvergleichliche Weise. Für ihre Band „Ideal“ textete und komponierte sie Songs, die einer neuen, deutschen Musikwelle den Weg bereiteten. Den Weg förmlich freischossen: Blaue Augen, Rote Liebe, Komm wir lassen uns erschießen. Die 1950 in Hagen geborene Musikerin ist seitdem ein zuverlässiger Seismograf für eingängige Melodien und gute Texte. Sie arbeitete mit und für Udo Lindenberg, Rio Reiser, Nena, Die Prinzen, Ich und Ich und Max Raabe, um nur ein paar zu nennen. Und weil sie es von sich aus nicht erwähnt, tun wir es kurz: Vor ein paar Jahren verantwortete sie beeindruckende 35 Gold- und Platinplatten, inzwischen sind bestimmt schon wieder ein paar hinzugekommen. | Playlist zur Sendung: Ideal – Telephon // Fleetwood Mac - Oh well Part I // Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger & The Trinity - Season of the Witch // Dusty Springfield - Son of a Preacherman // Lina Maly – Zauberland // Iggy Pop - Real Wild Child // XTC - Making Plans for Nigel // Die Höchste Eisenbahn – Enttäuscht // James Blake - When we're older | Diese Podcast-Episode steht unter der Creative Commons Lizenz CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.
In this episode of The Light in Every Thing, we take our first look at the mystery of the triune God: God the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. In The Christian Community, we turn our attention to this mystery in the Act of Consecration between festival seasons during a special time that has come to be called trinity season. As we enter right now the trinity season between the Epiphany festival and Lent, Patrick and Jonah will take up a contemplation of these three beings who form a unity.To begin, Patrick and Jonah explore their own experiences of God the Father, particularly at the beginning of their relationships with The Christian Community and the Act of Consecration. They discuss mindfulness practices that are doorways, so to speak, to connect with the “Ground of the World.” They touch on the importance of finding love, gratitude, and trust for and from this being, God the Father. They reflect on their own experiences of awareness of this "other," noting how humanity can fall prey to a kind of self-centeredness if we neglect to see the being of the Ground of the World, beyond just ourselves.They leave off for next week with a question, "Why is it God the Father, as opposed to Mother? What can this tell us about God the Son?" We welcome your comments and questions below!Our thanks to Elliott Chamberlin who composed the opening music, "On the Road" and the closing music, "Seeking Together". You can find more of his music here.Our thanks also to Emily Watson for her digital production work behind the scenes!Our apologies for the presence of Patrick's children and accompanying background noise. Venus, goddess of love, to accompany Patrick's comments about Venus in this episode. Excerpt of The Birth of Venus, painted by Sandro Botticelli, 1485-86.If you'd like to join our support circle, visit our Patreon See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/ccseminary/posts)
Sermons from St. Andrew's is a live recording of the homilies preached from the pulpit of St. Andrew's Anglican Church in Appomattox, Virginia, and are presented by Fr. Damien Grout, who serves as Rector of St. Andrew's. https://www.facebook.com/St.AndrewsAppomattox As we continue our Trinity Season journey, we are brought to a timely contemplation of the deadly sin of dejection, but, more than just learning to recognize the sin in us, we seek the touch of our Lord's hand to open our ears to hear his voice, for him to set the string of our tongues loose to praise Him even in the midst of sorrow and unknowing.
Give Us This Day, Evening Edition" is a unique devotional commentary for the entire Church Year according to the Daily Lectionary of the Book of Common Prayer (1928). We join our reading of the Second Lesson from Evening Prayer with the reading of countless Christians, who read these Scriptures to form and transform the soul, more than merely inform the mind.
Sermons From St. Andrew's is a live recording of the homilies preached from the pulpit of St. Andrew's Anglican Church in Appomattox, Virginia, and are presented by Fr. Damien Grout, who severs as Rector of St. Andrew's. Today brings us to the Sixth Sunday after Trinity in our continued pursuit of growth in Christ, as we remember the purpose of Trinity Season and specifically, our pursuit of the putting off of the deadly vice of wrath and putting on the Heavenly virtue of kindness.
Sermons From Saint Andrew's is a live recording of the Sunday Homilies preached from the pulpit of St. Andrew's Anglican Church in Appomattox, Virginia, and are presented by Fr. Damien Grout, who serves as the Rector of St. Andrew's. https://www.facebook.com/St.AndrewsAppomattox This homily was preached on the Second Sunday after Trinity, in which we consider the end of our Trinity Season journey.
Today we begin a study of Paul's letter to the Romans beginning with chapter 6 and continuing through to the end of the Epistle. Every week we will take a different chapter, and a different message. Today we begin with Baptism. Why in the middle of the letter to the Romans? Why not the beginning? There is a good reason....listen and find out. You may also join us for the full worship service or a video sermon at www.gracealoneonline.org/sermons.
Rev. Michael Lange, President of the California, Nevada and Hawaii District of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod is our guest preacher today.
Peter Leithart discusses the texts for the 26th Sunday in the Trinity Season in 2018. For the Missouri Synod Lectionary that Peter and Alastair are using for this discussion, see the link below. www.lcms.org/Document.fdoc?src=lcm&id=4583 Sign up for our newsletter, "In Medias Res." theopolisinstitute.com/about/newsletter/ Learn More! ______________ Website: www.theopolisinstitute.com Say "hi" on Twitter: twitter.com/_Theopolis "Like" and Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/theopolisinstitute/
Peter Leithart discusses the texts for the 25th Sunday in the Trinity Season in 2018. For the Missouri Synod Lectionary that Peter and Alastair are using for this discussion, see the link below. www.lcms.org/Document.fdoc?src=lcm&id=4583 Sign up for our newsletter, "In Medias Res." theopolisinstitute.com/about/newsletter/ Learn More! ______________ Website: www.theopolisinstitute.com Say "hi" on Twitter: twitter.com/_Theopolis "Like" and Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/theopolisinstitute/
Peter Leithart and Alastair Roberts discuss the texts for the 22nd Sunday in the Trinity Season in 2018. For the Missouri Synod Lectionary that Peter and Alastair are using for this discussion, see the link below. www.lcms.org/Document.fdoc?src=lcm&id=4583 Sign up for our newsletter, "In Medias Res." theopolisinstitute.com/about/newsletter/ Learn More! ______________ Website: www.theopolisinstitute.com Say "hi" on Twitter: twitter.com/_Theopolis "Like" and Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/theopolisinstitute/
Peter Leithart and Alastair Roberts discuss the texts for the 21st Sunday in the Trinity Season in 2018. For the Missouri Synod Lectionary that Peter and Alastair are using for this discussion, see the link below. www.lcms.org/Document.fdoc?src=lcm&id=4583 Sign up for our newsletter, "In Medias Res." https://theopolisinstitute.com/about/newsletter/ Learn More! ______________ Website: www.theopolisinstitute.com Say "hi" on Twitter: twitter.com/_Theopolis "Like" and Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/theopolisinstitute/
Peter Leithart and Alastair Roberts discuss the texts for the 20th Sunday in the Trinity Season in 2018. Time Stamps 1:00 - Gen. 2:18–25 25:00 - Mark 10:2–16 36:00 - Hebrews 2:1–13 (14–18) For the Missouri Synod Lectionary that Peter and Alastair are using for this discussion, see the link below. www.lcms.org/Document.fdoc?src=lcm&id=4583 Learn More! ______________ Website: www.theopolisinstitute.com Say "hi" on Twitter: twitter.com/_Theopolis "Like" and Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/theopolisinstitute/
Peter Leithart and Alastair Roberts discuss the texts for the 19th Sunday in the Trinity Season in 2018. For the Missouri Synod Lectionary that Peter and Alastair are using for this discussion, see the link below. www.lcms.org/Document.fdoc?src=lcm&id=4583 Learn More! ______________ Website: www.theopolisinstitute.com Say "hi" on Twitter: twitter.com/_Theopolis "Like" and Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/theopolisinstitute/
Peter Leithart and Alastair Roberts discuss the texts for the 18th Sunday in the Trinity Season in 2018. For the Missouri Synod Lectionary that Peter and Alastair are using for this discussion, see the link below. www.lcms.org/Document.fdoc?src=lcm&id=4583 Learn More! ______________ Website: www.theopolisinstitute.com Say "hi" on Twitter: twitter.com/_Theopolis "Like" and Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/theopolisinstitute/
Peter Leithart and Alastair Roberts discuss the texts for the 17th Sunday in the Trinity Season in 2018. For the Missouri Synod Lectionary that Peter and Alastair are using for this discussion, see the link below. www.lcms.org/Document.fdoc?src=lcm&id=4583 Learn More! ______________ Website: www.theopolisinstitute.com Say "hi" on Twitter: twitter.com/_Theopolis "Like" and Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/theopolisinstitute/
Peter Leithart and Alastair Roberts discuss the texts for the 16th Sunday in the Trinity Season in 2018. Time Stamps: 2:00 - Isaiah 35:4-7a 7:45 - Water in the Wilderness 10:07 - Mark 7:24-30, 31-37 10:22 - Jesus' Use of Saliva in Healing 18:55 - James 2:1-10, 14-18 23:30 - Justification, Faith & Works For the Missouri Synod Lectionary that Peter and Alastair are using for this discussion, see the link below. www.lcms.org/Document.fdoc?src=lcm&id=4583 Learn More! ______________ Website: www.theopolisinstitute.com Say "hi" on Twitter: twitter.com/_Theopolis "Like" and Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/theopolisinstitute/
Peter Leithart and Alastair Roberts discuss the texts for the 15th Sunday in the Trinity Season in 2018. Time Stamps: 1:34: Deuteronomy 4:1–2, 6–9 7:05: The Global Scope of the Torah and Theonomy 14:40 - Mark 7:14–23 21:36 - Ephesians 6:10–20 23:50 - The Armor of God and the High Priests Clothing 25:20 - Spiritual Warfare 27:48 - Redeeming the Time and the Struggle Between Darkness and Light For the Missouri Synod Lectionary that Peter and Alastair are using for this discussion, see the link below. www.lcms.org/Document.fdoc?src=lcm&id=4583 Learn More! ______________ Website: www.theopolisinstitute.com Say "hi" on Twitter: twitter.com/_Theopolis "Like" and Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/theopolisinstitute/
Peter Leithart and Alastair Roberts discuss the texts for the 14th Sunday in the Trinity Season in 2018. Time Stamps: 1:20 – 12:30 - Recap of Esther Meek's course on Covenant Epistemology 13:00 – Isaiah 29:11-19 20:20 – The Potter and the Clay 24:20 – Mark 7:1-13 30:30 – The Commandments of God and Preserving Tradition 36:00 – Ephesians 5:22-33 Book Mention: Patrick Miller: The Ten Commandments-Interpretation: Resources for the Use of Scripture in the Church https://amzn.to/2w6NTbs For the Missouri Synod Lectionary that Peter and Alastair are using for this discussion, see the link below. www.lcms.org/Document.fdoc?src=lcm&id=4583 Learn More! ______________ Website: www.theopolisinstitute.com Say "hi" on Twitter: twitter.com/_Theopolis "Like" and Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/theopolisinstitute/
Peter Leithart and Alastair Roberts discuss the texts for the 13th Sunday in the Trinity Season in 2018. For the Missouri Synod Lectionary that Peter is using for this discussion, see the link below. www.lcms.org/Document.fdoc?src=lcm&id=4583 Learn More! ______________ Website: www.theopolisinstitute.com Say "hi" on Twitter: twitter.com/_Theopolis "Like" and Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/theopolisinstitute/
Peter Leithart discusses the texts for the 12th Sunday in the Trinity Season in 2018. 1:40 - 1 Kings 19: 1-8 1:55 - The Structure of Kings 12:00 - The Death and Resurrection Theme 14:00 - Prophecy is always Post-Mortem 15:00 - John 6:35-51 15:35 - What does "I AM" mean for Israel? 18:50 - Born of the Spirit 22:23 - Ephesians 4:17 - 5:2 25:10 - Words are Fruit & Food for Others For the Missouri Synod Lectionary that Peter is using for this discussion, see the link below. www.lcms.org/Document.fdoc?src=lcm&id=4583 Learn More! ______________ Website: www.theopolisinstitute.com Say "hi" on Twitter: twitter.com/_Theopolis "Like" and Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/theopolisinstitute/
Peter Leithart and Alastair Roberts discuss the texts for the 11th Sunday in the Trinity Season in 2018. 2:00 - Exodus 16:2-15 2:20 - The Numerology & Symbolism of the 12 Springs and 70 Date Palms 4:56 - The Bread is rained and the quail "come up" 8:00 - The Sabbath and Manna 10:15 - The wilderness turns into a garden, an Eden 11:25 - Manna, 40 years, wilderness and pedagogy 22:08 - John 6:22-35 27:14 - What is the seal set upon the Son of Man? 30:35 - Ephesians 4:1-16 35:33 - The building up of the body, the Church 39:20 - Who builds the church, the leaders or lay people? 41:15 - The Spirit's public work For the Missouri Synod Lectionary that Peter and Alastair are using for this discussion, see the link below. www.lcms.org/Document.fdoc?src=lcm&id=4583 Learn More! ______________ Website: www.theopolisinstitute.com Say "hi" on Twitter: twitter.com/_Theopolis "Like" and Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/theopolisinstitute/
Peter Leithart and Alastair Roberts discuss the texts for the 10th Sunday in the Trinity Season in 2018. Time Stamps 1:15 - Genesis 9:8-17 3:30 - The Rainbow and Signs 5:00 - The Theology of Covenant Signs and Memorials 18:25 - Ephesians 3:14-21 30:05 - Mark 6:45-56 For the Missouri Synod Lectionary that Peter and Steve are using for this discussion, see the link below. www.lcms.org/Document.fdoc?src=lcm&id=4583 Learn More! ______________ Website: www.theopolisinstitute.com Say "hi" on Twitter: twitter.com/_Theopolis "Like" and Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/theopolisinstitute/
Peter Leithart and Alastair Roberts discuss the texts for the 9th Sunday in the Trinity Season in 2018. For the Missouri Synod Lectionary that Peter and Steve are using for this discussion, see the link below. www.lcms.org/Document.fdoc?src=lcm&id=4583 Learn More! ______________ Website: www.theopolisinstitute.com Say "hi" on Twitter: twitter.com/_Theopolis "Like" and Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/theopolisinstitute/
Peter Leithart and Alastair Roberts discuss the texts for the 7th Sunday in the Trinity Season in 2018. Those texts are: Ezekiel 2:1-5 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 Mark 6:1-13 A few topics discussed: 1:10 - Alastair's recent work with Davenant Institute 5:10 - 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 14:20 - What is the 3rd Heaven? 17:40 - Satan robbed of his agency 20:10 - Ezekiel 2:1-5 23:00 - The "Son of Man" title 29:00 - Mark 6:1-13 37:00 - Family ties in the New Covenant ______________________ A Week with Esther Meek! An Intro to Covenant Epistemology We are so very pleased to announce that Esther Meek will be the instructor for our 2018 Trinity Course in August. The course will be held August 13-17 at Beeson Divinity School. Learn More: bit.ly/2x8dcwv Registration Link for "Loving to Know: Intro to Covenant Epistemology": bit.ly/2twcSF9 For the Missouri Synod Lectionary that Peter and Steve are using for this discussion, see the link below. www.lcms.org/Document.fdoc?src=lcm&id=4583 Learn More! ______________ Website: www.theopolisinstitute.com Say "hi" on Twitter: twitter.com/_Theopolis "Like" and Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/theopolisinstitute/
Peter Leithart and Steve Jeffery discuss the texts for the 5th Sunday in the Trinity Season in 2018. Those texts are: Job 38: 1-11 2 Cor. 6: 1-13 Mark 4: 35-41 A Week with Esther Meek! An Intro to Covenant Epistemology We are so very pleased to announce that Esther Meek will be the instructor for our 2018 Trinity Course in August. The course will be held August 13-17 at Beeson Divinity School. Learn More: bit.ly/2x8dcwv Registration Link for "Loving to Know: Intro to Covenant Epistemology": bit.ly/2twcSF9 For the Missouri Synod Lectionary that Peter and Steve are using for this discussion, see the link below. www.lcms.org/Document.fdoc?src=lcm&id=4583 Learn More! ______________ Website: www.theopolisinstitute.com Say "hi" on Twitter: twitter.com/_Theopolis "Like" and Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/theopolisinstitute/
Peter Leithart discusses the texts for the 4th Sunday in the Trinity Season in 2018. Those texts are: Ezek. 17:22–24 2 Cor. 5:1–10 (11–17) Mark 4:26–34 A Week with Esther Meek! An Intro to Covenant Epistemology We are so very pleased to announce that Esther Meek will be the instructor for our 2018 Trinity Course in August. The course will be held August 13-17 at Beeson Divinity School. Learn More: bit.ly/2x8dcwv Registration Link for "Loving to Know: Intro to Covenant Epistemology": bit.ly/2twcSF9 For the Missouri Synod Lectionary that Peter is using for these discussions, see the link below. www.lcms.org/Document.fdoc?src=lcm&id=4583 Learn More! ______________ Website: www.theopolisinstitute.com Say "hi" on Twitter: twitter.com/_Theopolis "Like" and Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/theopolisinstitute/
Peter Leithart discusses the texts for the 3rd Sunday in the Trinity Season in 2018. Those texts are: Gen. 3:8-15 2 Cor. 4:13-5:1 Mark 3:20-35 A Week with Esther Meek! An Intro to Covenant Epistemology We are so very pleased to announce that Esther Meek will be the instructor for our 2018 Trinity Course in August. The course will be held August 13-17 at Beeson Divinity School. Learn More: bit.ly/2x8dcwv Registration Link for "Loving to Know: Intro to Covenant Epistemology": bit.ly/2twcSF9 For the Missouri Synod Lectionary that Peter is using for these discussions, see the link below. www.lcms.org/Document.fdoc?src=lcm&id=4583 Learn More! ______________ Website: www.theopolisinstitute.com Say "hi" on Twitter: twitter.com/_Theopolis "Like" and Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/theopolisinstitute/
Peter Leithart discusses the texts for the 2nd Sunday in the Trinity Season in 2018. Those texts are: Deut. 5:12–15 2 Cor. 4:5–12 Mark 2:23–28(3:1–6) A Week with Esther Meek! An Intro to Covenant Epistemology We are so very pleased to announce that Esther Meek will be the instructor for our 2018 Trinity Course in August. The course will be held August 13-17 at Beeson Divinity School. Learn More: bit.ly/2x8dcwv Registration Link for "Loving to Know: Intro to Covenant Epistemology": https://bit.ly/2twcSF9 For the Missouri Synod Lectionary that Peter is using for these discussions, see the link below. www.lcms.org/Document.fdoc?src=lcm&id=4583 Learn More! ______________ Website: www.theopolisinstitute.com Say "hi" on Twitter: twitter.com/_Theopolis "Like" and Follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/theopolisinstitute/
Peter Leithart and James Jordan discuss the texts for the Third Sunday of the Trinity Season. Honor God with your Body: by, Lindsey Tollefson https://theopolisinstitute.com/honor-god-with-your-body/ _____________ Learn More! Website: http://www.theopolisinstitute.com Say "hi" on Twitter: https://twitter.com/_Theopolis "Like" and Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theopolisinstitute/
The lessons for the beginning of Trinity Season all seem to focus on some basic stuff, probably because the basics are hard to keep in focus if your daily like is like mine. And when Jesus tells people that their righteousness has to exceed that of the Scribes and Pharisees, what is he saying? Is he making it hard for us, or is he hinting that there is a better way?
Speaker or Performer: Pr. Mark D. Lovett Scripture Passage(s): Mark 16:14-20 Date of Delivery: May 9, 2013 In the name of the Father and of the +Son and of the Holy Spirit.The festival half of the Church Year is coming to a close. Pentecost is just over a week away, and then the Trinity Season, what’s been called “Ordinary Time” begins. The festival half of the Church Year is from Advent to Pentecost, and contains all the major feasts of Christ. Most notably, Christmas and Easter. But also Epiphany, which has gained some popularity again over the last several years, and of course, holy week. Today is also a high feast: Ascension.Like t is Feast of the Nativity of our Lord is always on December 25th, the Feast of the Ascension of our Lord is always 40 days after Easter, always the Thursday before Exaudi Sunday, or the last Sunday of Easter. And as you well know, the Feast of the Ascension of our Lord celebrates our Lord’s ascension to the right hand of God the Father.I don’t prefer to say that He ascended into heaven because “heaven” has become the name of any sort of afterlife place of soft light and winged cherubs – not cherubim – floating around with harps. But the scriptural use of the word that we translate “heaven” really means the place of God’s abode, where God is in His full divine glory. Our societal use of the word heaven does not mean the place of God in His full divine glory. Many people can talk about heaven without even mentioning God. Like when we send and receive cards that talk about our deceased loved ones being in heaven, but not talk about them before the throne of God. Moreover, pagans and heathens also speak of heaven, the place of the afterlife. So maybe “heaven” should be reserved for the creed which has every other line to define what heaven is.Better to say – rather than He ascended into heaven – that He ascended to the right hand of God the Father, which the Bible also says. This eliminates any heaven or ascension that denies the holy Trinity, or that puts forward a generic heaven. Heaven is wherever Jesus is because Jesus is always before the Father. That means this is heaven. Or at least this is the portal and gateway of heaven, this gathering where our Lord gathers us to Himself to give us His heavenly life and blessings. That’s why the ancients called the holy liturgy, the Divine Service, Jacob’s Ladder and the doorway to paradise and the gate of heaven. This is where heaven meets earth. Here the ascended Lord breaks through creation and reveals Himself in preaching and the breaking of bread. Jesus loves you, and this is where you meet Him.And that is good.I used to think it’d have been better if Jesus had not ascended but remained on earth according to the flesh so that we could see and touch Him, like Thomas got to do. But Jesus says it is better that He goes. It is better because when He went, when He ascended, He completed His work of salvation. He says on the cross, “It is finished,” and it is. The work of atonement is finished. But there is one thing left to do: ascend to the Father. Unless I go, He says, I cannot send the Helper, the Holy Spirit. And because I go, you will do greater works and whatever you ask, the Father will give you. Because Jesus ascended, we can pray to the Father. Without His ascension, we would not pray to God as our Father.But now there is before the Father one of us, our Brother. He is ascended. He is like the team member that has scored, crossed into the end-zone. He scored, but the whole team has been blessed by it. He made it, but we benefit from His accomplishment. And because He is there, we are there also. Our life is hidden in Christ.It is better that Christ ascended. It is better because He sends His Spirit that unifies us with Him and by whom we pray to His Father as our Father. It is better because now He who ascended makes Himself known over the whole world in the breaking of the bread and the preaching of His gospel. And when we gather in His name, we gather before the Father in the unity of the Spirit in the glory of God, gathering in heaven while on earth.+ In Nomine Iesu +
[ download lowfi version ] [ download hifi version ] This week on HT-Radio, Pr. Mark Buetow talks about Trinity. He covers the Trinity itself, the Athanasian Creed, and the Trinity Season. What’s up with that super long, boring, green season throughout out the summer? The same thing as the rest of the year. The […] Copyright Higher Things®, Higher Things - Dare to be Lutheran. Support the work of Higher Things.