|
|
Fiction: Gilead by Marilynn Robinson |
|
Theology: Douglas Farrow's Ascension and Ecclesia |
|
|
|
|
|
Poetry: Thomas Howard's Dove Ascending on T. S. Eliot's Four Quartets |
|
|
|
|
Passages, Preaching, Poems, Prayers: Ascension and Pentecost
I will not leave you comfortless...The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things...It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
John 14:18,26 and 16:7 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need...This man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Hebrews 4:14-16 and 7:24-25 Why stand ye gazing up into Heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come, in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Acts 1:11
And truly great and unspeakable was [the disciples’] cause for joy, when in the sight of the holy multitude, above the dignity of all heavenly creatures, the Nature of mankind went up,
to pass above the angels’ ranks and to rise beyond the archangels’ heights, and to have Its
uplifting limited by no elevation until, received to sit with the Eternal Father, It should be
associated on the throne with His glory, to Whose Nature It was united in the Son.
Since then Christ’s Ascension is our uplifting, and the hope of the Body is raised, whither the glory of the Head has gone before, let us exult, dearly beloved, with worthy joy and
delight in the loyal paying of thanks. For today not only are we confirmed as possessors of paradise, but have also in Christ penetrated the heights of heaven, and have gained still greater things through Christ’s unspeakable grace than we had lost through the devil’s
malice. For us, whom our virulent enemy had driven out from the bliss of our first abode, the Son of God has made members of Himself and placed at the right hand of the Father, with Whom He lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen
From a sermon of Leo the Great, d.461
From “Ascension Day”
Lord Jesus! With what sweetness and delights,
Sure, holy hopes, high joys and quick’ning flights
Dost thou feed thine! O thou! the hand that lifts
To him, who gives all good and perfect gifts.
Thy glorious, bright Ascension (though remov’d
So many ages from me) is so prov’d
And by thy spirit seal’d to me, that I
Feel me a sharer in thy victory.
I soar and rise
Up to the skies,
Leaving the world their day,
And in my flight
For the true light
Go seeking all the way.
Henry Vaughan, 1622-1695
From “Whit Sunday”
Listen sweet Dove unto my song,
And spread thy golden wings in me;
Hatching my tender heart so long
Till it get wind, and flie away with thee.
Where is that fire which once descended
On thy Apostles? Thou didst then
Keep open house, richly attended,
Feasting all comers by twelve chosen men.
Such glorious gifts thou didst bestow,
That th’earth did like a heav’n appeare;
The starres were coming down to know
If they might mend their wages, and serve here.
George Herbert, 1593-1633
Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God,
that like as we do believe thy only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ
to have ascended into the heavens;
so we may also in heart and mind thither ascend,
and with him continually dwell,
who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost,
one God, world without end. Amen.
The Collect for Ascension Day
Book of Common Prayer
Father in Heaven! Thou didst send Thy Son to reveal Thyself to us,
Thy Father-love, and all that love has for us. And He has taught us, that the
gift above all gifts, which Thou wouldst bestow in answer to prayer is,
the Holy Spirit.
O my Father! I come to Thee with this prayer; there is nothing I would—
may I not say I do—desire so much as to be filled with the Spirit, the Holy Spirit.
The blessings He brings are so unspeakable, and just what I need.
He sheds abroad Thy love in the heart, and fills it with Thyself. I long for this.
He breathes the mind and life of Christ in me, so that I live as He did,
in and for the Father’s love. I long for this.
He endues with power from on high for all my walk, and work. I long for this.
O Father! I beseech Thee, give me this day the fullness of Thy spirit.
Andrew Murray
|
