Sunday after Ascension

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be always acceptable to thee, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer, and Lord, give us here today, eyes to see and ears to hear so we can learn your word together as a family. We offer you all the praise, honor, and Glory for it in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Good morning, my fellow encouragers!

Today, we find ourselves in that sacred time between Ascension and Pentecost. Our Lord Jesus Christ has ascended into heaven, as we celebrated just days ago, and now we await the coming of the Holy Ghost, the Comforter. This Sunday is a time of anticipation—a holy waiting—not of idleness, but of watchfulness and prayer.

Our Collect prays, “We beseech thee, leave us not comfortless; but send to us thine Holy Ghost to comfort us.” We are reminded that although Jesus has ascended, He has not abandoned us. He promised to send the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, to dwell with us and guide us into all truth.

In today’s Gospel from St. John, Jesus assures the disciples that when the Comforter comes, He will testify of Christ. This is the Spirit’s mission—to draw our hearts to Jesus, to remind us of His words, to strengthen us for witness. We see here the heart of the Christian life: our reliance not on our own strength, but on the Spirit’s presence and power.

The disciples, after witnessing Jesus ascend, returned to Jerusalem as He commanded. And what did they do? They waited and prayed together, united in purpose. Our Epistle from the book of Acts tells us they were together with one accord in prayer—a powerful model for us. Often, we are quick to act, to find solutions, to forge ahead. Yet, God’s way frequently invites us to “Wait. Watch. Pray.”

This discipline of waiting is not easy. It requires humility. It requires trust. But it also prepares the heart to receive what God desires to give. The Spirit is not sent to fill hearts that are cluttered and distracted, but hearts that are attentive, yearning, and ready.

Isaiah reminds us, “The Lord is exalted; for he dwelleth on high: he hath filled Zion with judgment and righteousness… Wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times.” In our own uncertain times, we need this stability. And we find it not in politics or possessions, but in the fear of the Lord—in reverence, in dependence on the King of Glory who reigns even now.

J.I. Packer often emphasized that knowing God is not a casual acquaintance, but a reverent and worshipful relationship. It begins in prayerful waiting and leads to holy living. The Spirit is given not only for comfort but for transformation. He sanctifies us, convicts us, teaches us, and equips us to serve.

St. Peter exhorts us, “Be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer… And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves.” As we await the Spirit’s renewing power, we prepare by loving one another, by serving with the gifts God has given, and by glorifying Him in word and deed.

We don’t wait in passive resignation but in active expectation. It is a time of drawing near to God. It is a time of examining our hearts and preparing room for the Spirit’s work.

As we gather each Sunday, we re-enter the life of Christ and the life of the Church. Ascension reminds us that Christ is reigning in glory. Pentecost, which we’ll celebrate next week, reminds us that He reigns not far off, but in the hearts of His people by the Holy Ghost.

When we look to the Book of Acts, we see the transformation that the Spirit brings. St. Peter, who once denied the Lord, becomes a bold preacher of the Gospel. The disciples, once confused and timid, become courageous apostles. This is the power of the Comforter at work.

We must not limit the Spirit’s work to the extraordinary. The Spirit is also present in the quiet, in the daily, in the routine acts of love, service, and devotion. When you comfort a grieving neighbor, when you pray for a prodigal child, when you give generously to one in need, the Holy Ghost is at work. He is forming Christ in us.

And so, we must prepare our hearts. Just as the soil must be tilled before the seed can grow, so must our hearts be softened by prayer, confession, and worship. The Spirit does not force Himself upon us. He comes where He is welcomed, where He is desired, where the heart is open.

This Sunday is also a reminder of the Church’s mission. Jesus ascended to reign, and He ascended to send. He sends the Spirit so that the Church may be His witness “unto the uttermost part of the earth.” That begins not in distant lands, but here, in our homes, our workplaces, our community.

You, my dear encouragers, are witnesses of Christ. You are temples of the Holy Ghost. You are ambassadors of the Kingdom. Your life speaks; your prayers rise as incense. Your kindness is a light in a dark world.

And do not think that your witness is too small to matter. The Spirit delights to use the humble, the unnoticed, the faithful. A quiet word, a persistent prayer, a steady presence—these are the instruments through which God moves.

Let us also remember that the Spirit brings comfort. He may not always remove the trial, but I can assure you, when we invite Him, He is present within it. When we suffer, when we are lonely, when we face loss, the Spirit draws near. He is the verification of our adoption as children of God. He reminds us of Christ’s love. He groans with us and for us.

The Spirit also convicts. He shows us our sin, not to condemn, but to lead us to repentance and renewal. This is part of our preparation. As we await Pentecost, let us confess our sins, forgive those who have wronged us, and seek peace with one another.

Our lives are to be vessels of grace. St. Peter says, “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” Whether your gift is speaking, serving, encouraging, or giving, use it. The Spirit empowers each of us differently but binds us together as one Body.

Finally, let us look to the hope that lies before us. The Collect ends with a glorious vision: “exalt us unto the same place whither our Saviour Christ is gone before.” Christ has ascended not only as our King but as our forerunner. He prepares a place for us. He intercedes for us. And He will return to bring us home.

Until then, we wait—not as those who have no hope, but as those who know the King of Glory. We wait with expectation. We wait with reverence. We wait with joy.

So let us lift up our hearts. Let us pray fervently. Let us love generously. Let us serve faithfully. And let us prepare the way of the Lord in our lives, our homes, and our church.

Come, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of thy faithful people, and kindle in us the fire of thy love.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.