Grace Notes May 17

Grace notes for 5/14-19/12

Thursday, May 17th was Ascension Thursday. I picture Our Lord's Ascension
as occurring on a bright and Sunny day like today. Jesus spoke a goodbye
and a blessing to people who had staked their life on him. He had been
lost to them in his death. Now, miraculously, he was alive again and
appearing in their midst. But wait, he was leaving again. There was
something different this time. Before he left he told the disciples to
expect the gift from the Father that he had spoken to them about. They
would be enabled and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Don't wander off, he
said, but stay in Jerusalem and wait. Not many days from now the Holy
Spirit will come upon you and you will be my witnesses.

The Easter season is coming to a close. In not many days we will
celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit's in-filling of the disciples and
the season after Pentecost will begin. This "green season" is so named
because following the day of Pentecost, the disciples did as Jesus said,
they became witnesses to his (God-in-flesh) presence with them. As they
did so, they were to experience all manner of growth. Again, the Lord
would be found true to his word as the Spirit of God empowered them to
share the good news and healing that Jesus brings.

As I drove to Salem this morning, I saw the new shoots and blades of green
that grew up in the fields. They will bear fruit and in so doing, are
witnesses to the Creator God who has made them. They will ripen and bring
forth fruit for the Lord and for his children throughout the growing
season.

On Ascension Thursday I am reminded that the Lord is present with us
precisely because he was taken from the sight of his first disciples. He
is alive and continues to call us to new growth and fruit bearing witness.
On Ascension Thursday I am reminded that the Lord is present in us,
sending us to "Live Christ's Love as the people of Salem and as
individuals called to see all that we do, wherever we do it as the place
where Jesus is present. On Ascension Thursday I am reminded that the Lord
is present to be our strength our hope and our way, every moment, every
day.

On Ascension Thursday I am reminded that the Lord is present and can be
seen in the beauty of renewing growth of the creation. Take the time to
hear and see Jesus alive in the beauty and power of life. Take the time
to let his presence fill you with peace.

On Ascension Thursday I am reminded that the Lord is present to us because
he said goodbye to the people, times and places of Jesus' earthly life.
On Ascension Thursday I am reminded that the Lord is present so that we
might live in the "perpetual HELLO" of his coming to us through the
Spirit. May you be open to the empowering enlivening and healing of Jesus
the Christ. We live because he lives. We live and Jesus tells to
recognize him with us and turn our hearts to making him known to others
that are being called to find their Spiritual Home in Him.

In thanksgiving for you ever-loving life Lord, we praise you and ask that
by your power we see the empowering of your life to enable us to do your
will.
AMEN
Pr. Rob