Seasons

One of the aspects of being creatures (rather than the creator) is that we dwell in time and space. (God is present at all places and at all times, because he is the source of time and space. He is eternally present everywhere and at every moment, but we are within time and space.)

 

This may seem odd to point out—who would assert otherwise?

 

Throughout the ages, though, the attempt to escape where and when we are has tempted humanity. We want to escape our creatureliness, and time and space perpetually remind us of it! The Gnostics saw the created order as lesser and evil, and attempted to escape through knowledge of the immaterial. Certain Eastern religions attempt to escape through meditation. The ancient Stoics attempted to escape the vicissitudes of life through an emotionless mastery of oneself in virtue. In the modern world, we see the created order as limiting, but don’t have the patience or self-control of Eastern mystics or the ancient Stoics. Instead, we escape virtually, via the internet. We even call what we do “disconnecting,” as if it were possible or good to disconnect from the place and time in which we are actually living by “living” in another reality.

 

Another way we attempt to escape time is the eradication of seasons. Again, this may seem strange to hear, but consider the most important thing in America—the economy. Wall Street barely closes, let alone acknowledges that summer is different than winter. Our market is on, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Even if certain offices close, purchasing happens around the clock, thanks to the internet. (Mercifully, one of the other major aspects of modern life—education—still operates according to time. School is full of what time is: a regularly repeating cycle of seasons.)

 

One of the ways we can acknowledge our creatureliness, and thus live in dependence on God, is by actually inhabiting where and when we are. We have gifts for this! The church calendar is a gift, as are the regular cycles of work and rest we are given each day and each week. We should do things differently at different times on purpose. Sunrise is different than sunset; dinner time is different than work time. Church should feel different in Lent, and Sunday should feel different than Saturday. A rhythm that is both regular and multifaceted is good for our souls, because it honors that we are creatures. It is good for all of us to embody seasons of fasting, seasons of study, seasons of work, and seasons of rest.

 

This summer, we will enter into a new rhythm. Pentecost Season focuses on the presence of the Holy Spirit in the Church for the sake of discipleship and mission, and we will live that out through activities that are different than the ones we use at other points in the year. Bible studies and small groups will shut down for a few months, and other things will take their place. Use this change as a reminder that we are creatures, and thus need regular seasons in space and time to flourish under God’s hand.

 

Be watching for the calendar of activities for this new season! We will send out an email next week with the full calendar.

 

Steven+

Pentecost Reflections

Over the last two Sundays, we have seen two pictures of the church. The first picture (seen in Acts 11) is of a new people defined by their relationship to Jesus Christ (hence called Christians) rather than ethnic identities. This new people-group crosses all tribal and linguistic boundaries to spread the word about Jesus. The second picture (seen in John 17) is of a diplomatic mission, completely unlike the world and yet sent into it so that the world might become one with God. These two pictures of mission ought to grab our attention and challenge us—we too easily settle into the comfortable and normal life of the world and forget our calling.
 
Behind both these pictures, though, is something we must not forget. Acts and John make it clear that this mission is only possible because of the gift of the Spirit. The disciples of Jesus are powerless without the Spirit, but with the Spirit, they become something else entirely—people of a new identity who joyfully forsake the things the world values, like money, a desire for power, or ethnic and national boundaries. In the power of the Spirit, a new family is created that is characterized by self-emptying love, love that does not seem possible in the eyes of the world. The Spirit’s presence is so transformative that Jesus tells the disciples they will do greater things than he did (John 14:12).
 
I don’t think that most of us expect this to occur. We generally settle into the world’s values and ways of operating because we can’t imagine the Spirit opening the doors of freedom and mission in our lives. We are hampered by ourselves, and settle down into what is intelligible and manageable; we are frightened by the prospect of stepping into the areas that seem unsafe.
 
But Jesus’ promise in John 14-17 (I will give the Spirit!) and command in Acts 1 (Wait for the Spirit!) are still valid. With the Spirit, new identities, new freedom, and a new ministry in the world are possible.
 
This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday. Come expectantly, and pray that God would fill and empower you with the Spirit—Jesus promised that the Father would answer this prayer (Luke 11:13). Come expectantly, and be prepared to be changed as you encounter the Spirit of God.
 

Steven+

The Feast of the Ascension

Tomorrow (May 9) is the Feast of the Ascension—if you can, join us at church at noon for a short Eucharist service!
 
Even though it is one of the seven principal feasts of the church calendar, the Feast of the Ascension is often forgotten, likely for two reasons:  One, we don’t realize that it is important.  And two, it always falls on a Thursday, rather than a Sunday.  But we shouldn’t forget it—imagine forgetting Christmas just because it fell on a weekday!  The four movements (incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension) of the work of Jesus Christ are all essential, and each needs to be remembered and celebrated.
 
The ascension matters for a variety of reasons.  Jesus told the disciples that it was better for him to go away, a statement that we might still struggle to believe.  After all, wouldn’t it be easier if Jesus were still here, with us visibly? But the ascension was better than remaining, according to Jesus.  Here are a few reasons why:
 
First, Jesus ascended so that the Holy Spirit could be given by the Father, through the Son.  As Jesus was anointed with the Spirit to begin his ministry, the Church was anointed with the Spirit for its ministry.  Without the ascension, there is no Pentecost, and no gift of the Spirit to each of us.
 
Second, Jesus went to present his sacrifice of himself to the Father, which the Father accepted as perfect and sufficient.  Hebrews describes Jesus as the great high priest, entering the Holy of Holies in the heavenly temple with his own blood to atone for our sins.  When he ascended, the sacrifice was accepted, and therefore we are freed from our condemnation, impurity, and shame.
 
Third, Jesus went to intercede for us before the Father.  Because he ascended, we have a high priest pleading on our behalf before the throne of God.  We have an advocate in the throne room!
 
Fourth, because Jesus joined himself to human nature in the incarnation, he took human nature back into heaven with him in the ascension.  Because we are joined to him—made a part of his body—and because he has ascended, we have been brought into heaven and seated in the heavenly places.  Because of the ascension, we have access to the throne of God.
 
Fifth, Jesus went to receive his kingdom.  Although we are still waiting for all things to be subject to Christ, our king has returned to his rightful place, which indicates to us that the war has already been won and the kingdom of God is secure.  His work on earth is finished, even though he is still at work through the church by his Spirit.  Because he ascended, we can be at peace in the security of God’s victory.
 
Take time tomorrow to meditate on each of five truths. Let them strengthen and encourage your faith. And if you can, join us at the church at noon for a short Ascension Day Eucharist!
 
In the Name of our Ascended Lord!
 
Steven+