Easter Seven

The Seventh Sunday of Easter seems to be a lost Sunday.  It’s caught in between Ascension Day and Pentecost.  Jesus has ascended, the apostles have returned to Jerusalem to await the promised Holy Spirit who will come with power.  But what kind of power will it energize the Jesus’ followers.  Nevertheless, the apostles replace Judas with Matthias.

The gospel takes us back to Jesus’ prayer in John 17 prior to his crucifixion.  Jesus prays that those who believe in him will be one, “just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you.”  He has completed the assignment for which he has been sent, to make known the name of the Father.  Now he requests that his Father would love his followers as He has loved Jesus because “I (am) in them.

The epistle takes us forward to the end of Revelation.  God’s servants will worship him and see his face.  Jesus concludes with a promise,” I am coming soon.”  “Amen.” Writes John. “Let it be so.”  Then he adds a prayer, “Come, Lord Jesus.”

So we end the Easter season, the time of our Lord.  On Pentecost we will enter the time of the Church.  Empowered by the Holy Spirit, the Church goes out into the world. This inspiration by the Holy Spirit is not a one-time event, it is ongoing a daily presence of the Spirit as we the CAhurch seek to live as Christ’s followers and speak his empowered word.

With the apostles we add our prayer on this Transition Sunday:

O King of glory, Lord of hosts, uplifted in triumph far above all heavens, leave us not without consolation but send us the Spirit of truth whom You promised from the Father; for you live and reign with Him and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.