[Propertalk] Fwd: [propertalk.topic] Sermon for Easter 7B, Sunday after the Ascension: “Up, Up, and AWAY!”

[Joe Parrish]

Forwarded: 



-----Original Message-----
From: Judy <judy_boli at ecunet.org>
To: Propertalk <propertalk.topic at ecunet.org>
Sent: Sat, May 12, 2018 4:43 pm
Subject: [propertalk.topic] Sermon for Easter 7B, Sunday after the Ascension: “Up, Up, and AWAY!”



Dear Friends,
 
This Sunday’s sermon is entitled “Up, Up, and AWAY!” anddeals with the Acts of the Apostles lesson (Acts 1: 1- 11).  Here it is: 
 
Today is AscensionSunday.  What a perfect day to celebrateMothers’ Day!  The disciples had beenthrough a roller coaster ride, and so does every mother (and while we’re at it-father, grandmother, grandfather, aunt, uncle, or mentor of a child orteen.)  If you look at our cross over thealtar, it’s an ascension Christ-figure. At first glance, it’s easy to see it as a crucifix, but there isactually no cross.  We see Jesus, armsoutstretched as if on a cross, ascending to heaven to take his place of honorand glory after his victorious triumph over death.  And in the first Bible lesson from Acts(1:8-14) we heard the account of what happened. Remember, the disciples had been through a roller-coaster ride of whatlooked to them like huge tragedy (Good Friday and the crucifixion) to theglorious high of the Christ’s amazing resurrection.  Here they were, just getting used to havinghim back, when he took off again with a promise- he would send the Holy Spiritto strengthen them.  They knew from pastexperience that Jesus expected them to stick together, so they went back to theupper room to encourage each other, plan, pray, and “Do this in remembrance ofme”- i.e. receive Holy Communion.  Theydidn’t understand the significance of Jesus’ leaving them, but we do.  If he were still a person on this planet, howwould we access him?  Telephone?  Can you imagine the busy signals just whenwe’re desperate?  Email?  “Sorry, this box is full; please send yourmessage later.”  To be accessible to allof us all the time, Jesus had to return to heaven- thank God he did! 
 
That’s what happened tothem- now what’s it to us?  How do theascension and the disciples’ roller-coaster experiences inform and strengthenour own lives?  Did you notice thethought for the week: “Tough times never last; tough people do (RobertSchuller).  True, but how do we outlastthe tough times? I’ve got five key words which I first heard from the Rev. BobStump (Delville United Methodist Church in Pennsylvania) that to me reallyanswer this question.  They are: DREAM,SCHEME, TEAM, LEAN, and BEAM.
 
DREAM!  This reminds me of the Collect for Purity-our first prayer every Sunday.  It goes,“Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you nosecrets are hid.”  Dare to dream!  A word of warning: parents- don’t dream foryour children if you don’t also dream for yourself.  God doesn’t expect us to live through ourchildren.  God expects us to live a fulllife for him, to search for God’s will for our own lives, and then to struggleto achieve it.  Don’t just tell yourchildren what to do- show them in your own lives.  You set the example for your children andthen help them do what you did.  Helpthem search for God’s will for their lives and then struggle to achieve it.  Remember, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King,Jr. said, “I have a dream!”  So DREAM!
 
SCHEME- not in thenegative, manipulative sense; but in a positive planning way.  You know the old gospel song, “Keep your eyeson the prize, hold on.”  That’s justanother way of saying what St. Paul said, “I press on!”  Don’t be surprised when you encounter obstaclesto your dreams.  Do you remember St.Peter’s warning to his people (I Peter 4:12)- “Don’t be surprised or shockedthat you are going through testing that is like walking through fire.”  If you’re never frustrated as you try tofocus and achieve your dreams, your goals- you really need to be sure you’vefigured out God’s will for your life. You’ve heard the phrase, “No pain; no gain.”  For the Christian walk, it’s really true.  God’s will involves struggle.  If life is going too smoothly, you’d betterwonder why Satan isn’t testing you- why he’s just letting you go about your ownconvenient, easy way.  So plan, focus,stick with it, SCHEME!
 
TEAM!  We’re not intended to go this alone.  Remember, what did the disciples do rightafter Jesus AGAIN left them alone this time by ascending to heaven?  Did they each go to their own houses andworry?  Actually, probably Thomas didthat, and he missed Jesus first resurrection appearance to the others and thenwasn’t sure he could believe that Jesus really did rise from the dead.  What did they do?  They all went back to that upper room toencourage each other, talk, pray, and “Do this in remembrance of me”- i.e.receive Holy Communion.  Two Sundays ago,we heard Jesus proclaim that he is the vine and we are the branches.  Did you notice- not a single branch, butbranchES.  And St. Paul reminds us thatwe are the Body of Christ and individually members of it (1st Cor.12).  So- don’t try to go it alone.  Be in church at least once a week and do whatJesus said- TEAM!
 
LEAN!  Lean on Jesus.  You know the song, “Learning to Lean.”  Lean on him. You know this stole that I must put on before doing any priestlyacts.  Do you know what itsymbolizes?  A yoke.  You’ve seen videos of oxen yoked together toshare the load.  When I wear this stole,I represent all of us.  Do you know whowe’re yoked with?  Jesus.  Remember when Jesus said, “My yoke is easy,and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:30). So LEAN!
 
Finally- BEAM!  Look at the ascending Christ figure over thealtar.  Where is Christ looking?  Where are his eyes beaming?  Sure- right on the altar.  So beam in on God’s wisdom at the altar.  Beam in on God’s power at the altar.  Beam in on God’s love at the altar.
 
Let us pray.  Lord, we thank you that the tough times onlyseem to last forever.  We thank you thattough times really do pass.  We ask youto help us to live today and every day to dream, scheme, team, lean, and beamin on you so we may be one of those tough people who really do last.  Amen.
 
For anyone who isinterested, this sermon and updated African-American wisdom statements areposted on our parish’s web site under “Sermons & Stuff”. The address is: http://www.stpaulsepisag.org .
 
Blessed preaching,
Judy Boli
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Saginaw, Michigan

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