Seeker

Today is Ascension Day, a Christian celebration of Christ's ascension into heaven. Ascension is a mystery. In one sense Christ leaves this world. He is also given to us. Not confined to 1 place, Christ is in heaven at the heart of all things, accessible to all who seek him. Christ took our humanity into heaven. In the Ascension, Christ’s glory is both revealed and concealed.  In a world where weapons, wealth, winning elections or controlling the media means power, it’s not surprising many see as ridiculous the Christian claim that Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords. We Christians claim that the most powerful are as nothing compared to the cosmic King Jesus. To celebrate Jesus’ Ascension is a daring act of faith. It’s audacious to claim that the son of a young Jewish girl, born more than 2,000 years ago and executed on a cross, is alive and now reigns over all. We’re not simply saying Jesus’ teaching influences us. We’re saying Jesus is both human and divine, seated...

During the Covid-19 pandemic many are isolated. Some are not alone but feel alone. We've become more aware of our human interdependence. We need each other and need the reassurance that there is always someone who can be alongside to help. The fear of being abandoned lies deep in us all. Jesus saw that fear in his friends as they struggled with the idea that Jesus was leaving them. The gospel reading for today the 6th Sunday of Easter, John 14: 15 - 21, takes us back to the night before Jesus died. The disciples’ world was falling apart. What started as a celebration meal became something disturbing. Judas had gone to betray Jesus. Jesus had warned Peter he would deny him. Jesus kept speaking of death and departing. Into that fearful atmosphere Jesus promised, “I will not leave you orphaned” and then promised, “I will come to you”. They wouldn’t be alone. I once saw a documentary showing a bear with 2 new-born cubs. One cub died soon after birth. 3 weeks later the mother died....

This photo is of a Syrian Bedouin shepherd in 2009 taking his flock through the ruins of Palmyra. I like this 2st century image of 'the good shepherd' protecting the vulnerable. Today, the 4th Sunday of Easter, is often known as 'Good Shepherd Sunday' because, for those churches that follow the Common Lectionary, the gospel reading is always from John 10 where Jesus speaks of himself as the Shepherd of his flock. Today's gospel reading is John 10: 1 - 10 . ‘Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know ...