Following Where Jesus, the Pioneer, Leads the Way

Devotional Reflection, Thursday, May 9, 2024

The week of the sixth Sunday after Easter

The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.

Key phrases for reflection from today’s reading:

10 It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. . . .17Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. 18Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested

You will find the full text of today’s epistle reading at the end of this reflection.

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension

Daily Office Devotional Readings (BCP, 963)

AM Psalm 8, 47; PM Psalm 24, 96

Dan. 7:9-14; Heb. 2:5-18; Matt. 28:16-20

David’s Reflections

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension, Jesus’ return to heaven after the resurrection.  The writer of Hebrews works consistently with the images of journey and pilgrimage, even with reference to Jesus’ ascension.  In verse ten of today’s epistle, the writer (whose identity we do not know) calls Jesus the pioneer of our salvation.  Jesus blazed the trail by living the life of obedience and service and by his saving death and resurrection. He journeyed where none had gone.  That journey of obedience has cleared the way for us and taken us into the presence of God in Christ’s presence.

In Christ’s ascension we have ascended to God.  Today, Jesus lives in God’s presence, a human life lived as God intended.  There, in Jesus’ presence, we too are present before God.  Human experience with all its limits now dwells with God. The triune deity has a human second person. And, because Jesus dwells with God, we have the assurance that we shall there dwell. For people of faith, life is changed not ended.

Our experiences of frailty, of limits, of struggle, of fear and anxiety now have a human point of reference in God’s presence.  Jesus became like us in every way (see verses 14, 17).  In other words, he descended fully into the human condition, and that descent forms the descant to his ascent.  Now, in God’s presence, Jesus’ human experience connects us with God our Mother and Father.  In that human experience, God understands and shares ours.  We no longer are alone and isolated;  Jesus is with us, and we are with Jesus in God’s presence.

Anglican vicar, poet, and incomparable preacher, G. A. Studdert-Kennedy wrote this poem about our presence with Jesus’ before God.

Tis that weakness in strength that I cry for--my flesh

     that I seek

In the Godhead.  I seek it and find it.  O man, it shall be

A face like my face that receives thee, a Man like to me

Thou shalt love and be loved by for ever;  a hand like

     this hand

Shall open the gates of New Life to thee--see the Christ stand.*

* G. A. Studdert Kennedy, "Suffered Under Pontius Pilate,"  in I Believe:  Sermons on the Apostles' Creed  (New York:  Doran, 1921), p. 21.

Collect of the Day, Sixth Sunday of Easter

O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, 225)

Collect for Ascension Day

Grant, we pray, Almighty God, that as we believe your only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended into heaven, so we may also in heart and mind there ascend, and with him continually dwell; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.  (BCP, 226)

A Collect for Guidance

O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people;  Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.  (BCP 100)

A GAELIC PRAYER

As the rain hides the stars,

As the Autumn mist hides the hills,

As the clouds veil the blue of the sky,

So the dark happenings of my lot

Hide the shining of thy face from me.

Yet, if I may hold thy hand in the darkness,

It is enough.

Since I know, that though I may stumble in my going

Thou dost not fall.

(Theme prayer for the congregation of the Saxon Church of Escomb, England

Church constructed in 670-690 CE and still the site of worship for the parish.  The visitor's handbook attributes some of the architectural features to Irish Celtic influence.  Source: The Saxon Church: Escomb: A Guide for Pilgrims.  The Saxon Church.  Escomb, Durham County, England.)

A Collect for the Presence of Christ

Lord Jesus, stay with us, for evening is at hand and the day is past; be our companion in the way, kindle our hearts, and awaken hope, that we may know you as you are revealed in Scripture and the breaking of bread. Grant this for the sake of your love. Amen. (BCP, 124)

A Collect for Mission

Merciful God, creator of all the peoples of the earth and lover of souls: Have compassion on all who do not know you as you are revealed in your Son Jesus Christ; let your Gospel be preached with grace and power to those who have not heard it; turn the hearts of those who resist it; and bring home to your fold those who have gone astray; that there may be one flock under one shepherd, Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen. (BCP, 280)

Daily Office Epistle, Hebrews 2:5-18

5 Now God did not subject the coming world, about which we are speaking, to angels. 6But someone has testified somewhere, ‘What are human beings that you are mindful of them, or mortals, that you care for them? 7You have made them for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned them with glory and honor, 8subjecting all things under their feet.’ Now in subjecting all things to them, God left nothing outside their control. As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to them, 9but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

10 It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, 12saying, ‘I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters, in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.’ 13And again, ‘I will put my trust in him.’ And again, ‘Here am I and the children whom God has given me.’

14 Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. 16For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. 17Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. 18Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested

Daily Offices in The Book of Common Prayer

Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, The Book of Common Prayer

Noonday Prayer, page 103, Book of Common Prayer

Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p 109, Book of Common Prayer

Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer

Compline (Night Prayer), page 127, Book of Common Prayer

Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer