In his Christ Our Hope column for Easter Sunday (April 3), Bishop Barry C. Knestout talked about the “in-between time” from the Crucifixion until the Resurrection, a time when Jesus’ disciples were confused and unsure of what to do next.
The Seventh Sunday of Easter marks the start of another in-between time for the disciples – between the
Ascension, Jesus’ return to the Father, and the com- ing of the promised Holy Spirit on Pentecost.
This time, however, is different. Consider what you might have done in the same situation as the disciples. We might have also been looking up to heaven wondering, did that really happen? Did he just float out of sight? Maybe also looking on in disbelief that Jesus was gone?
The reading from Acts might give us the impression of doubt and confusion. This is not the message intended for us.
While the disciples might have been a little confused or dazed at first and the two messengers had to get their attention and ask them why they were looking up to heaven, there is no doubt or confusion in Jesus’ message. It is a message of hope.
In the letter to the Ephesians, Paul prays that they know the hope of those called by Jesus, the inheritance of holy ones, and the “surpassing greatness of his power for those who believe” (19). He reminds them of the good things promised to those who listen to God and follow God’s commands.
In the Gospel reading, Jesus tells disciples: “all power in heaven and earth has been given to me” and sends them out to preach the Gospel. He says they will make disciples throughout the world and be his witnesses from Judea to the whole world.
In the reading from Acts, the disciples are told they will receive power to do this when they are baptized by the Holy Spirit and directs them to go back to Jerusalem and wait there for the fulfillment of the promised Spirit of God.
While the disciples didn’t fully understand Jesus and what the Kingdom of God was about, as evidenced by their question about the restoration of the Kingdom, they had learned to trust Jesus and listen to him.
Acts 1:12-14, which follows this reading, is the first reading for the Seventh Sunday of Easter, the in-between Sunday when the Ascension is celebrated on Thursday. It describes how the disciples believed Jesus and followed his instructions to return to Jerusalem and wait. They, along with Jesus’ mother Mary and other women in their company, returned to Jerusalem, devoted themselves to prayer, and awaited the coming of the Holy Spirit.
The message of hope for the disciples and the early Church is also a message of hope for us. Like the disciples, we might not always understand God working in our life, but like them we have been taught to trust God. Jesus promises to remain with us always and he fulfills this promise in the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
The Holy Spirit is certainly present in our lives. It is present in the Church gathered, the sacraments celebrated and in various ways in our life. The Holy Spirit is continually poured on us, the people of God, the Church. It gives us the power to be God’s presence in the world.
As we prepare to commemorate and celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, we first celebrate Jesus’ return to the Father and the promise of the Holy Spirit.
Deacon Christopher Colville serves at Church of the Redeemer, Mechanicsville.