The apostles wanted and needed safety. They asked Jesus whether this would not be a good time to restore David’s Kingdom, a moment in the history of Israel when the nation seemed in retrospect to be secure. Jesus’ reply must have increased their insecurity. The women and men who met with Jesus before his Ascension…

Thursday was the Feast of the Ascension. Alas, because so few of us attend weekday feasts, most parishes celebrate the Ascension on this Sunday following the feast. Because we celebrate the major feasts of the church with hindsight and developed reflection, we miss the intense emotions that those events caused for the ones who initially…

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)In his commentary on the Acts of the Apostles, Joseph Fitzmyer says that this is the “programmatic verse” of Acts; it sets…

Today is the Sunday after the Ascension; and this year we hear Luke tell the story of the risen Lord’s departure from his disciples. The Ascension is probably not the best known of the feast days on the calendar, but it is one that takes on increasing depth and importance the more you think about…

This is the final Sunday of the Easter season. Next week is Pentecost, and the reading from Acts, as well as the Collect of the Day, give expression to our yearning for the Holy Spirit. This yearning for the Spirit is very much a part of the Resurrection faith we celebrate this season. Although as…

On behalf of the whole Congregation of God’s People in this place it is my privilege and joy as your Pastor to welcome today to St. Benedict’s Episcopal Church each and everyone of you who were confirmed and received yesterday at St. Mark’s. As you know we have been praying for you throughout Lent and…