On Thursday 14 May we will celebrate Ascension Day, 40 days after Easter Day.
Following his resurrection, Jesus spoke with his disciples about continuing to live and share his teachings; and then came the day (traditionally associated with the 40th day of Easter) when the disciples went with Jesus to the Mount of Olives, and they watched as he was taken from their sight to return to be with God the Father. It is a mysterious scene as Christ leaves the earth having first promised his followers that they will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit to empower them and equip them to live and share the good news of Jesus Christ. Thus, Ascension Day is a significant day for us to reflect afresh on what it means to be God’s people and to share in God’s mission of reconciliation and transformation (Colossians 1:19-20).
Ten days after Pentecost (Sunday 24 May), we will celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, and the coming of the Holy Spirit in power – the glorious culmination of the 50 days of the Easter festival.
A few weeks ago, I was encouraging us to consider how we might set aside the days between Ascension Day and Pentecost to focus on prayer. In particular, I want to encourage us as individuals and communities to ask how we might participate in the initiative Thy Kingdom Come (TKC). This global call to prayer resonates strongly with our vision of LIFE Together and our commitment to ‘share the transforming gospel of Jesus Christ so that people may know life in all its fullness’. Over the years, TKC has grown to embrace all church traditions, and I hope we might all find our place within it. This introductory film is a good place to start →
It is my hope and prayer that in this diocese, across our diverse contexts and liturgical traditions, we will commit to pray and be ever more expectant for people of all ages and backgrounds to encounter Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.
I finish with our LIFE prayer which we have been praying together since 2016:
God of hope and transformation,
who in our Lord Jesus Christ
offers the gift of life in all its fullness,
send your Holy Spirit and grant us
joy in our following and vision in our Leadership.
May we be rich in Imagination,
confident in Faith,
and courageous in our Engagement with
the people and places of this diocese.
As we share your life with the world,
keep us rooted and grounded in love
as we bear witness to your glory
and pray for your Kingdom to come. Amen.
With my thanks and prayers for the ministry in which we share.
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