April 28, 2008

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

The Seventh Sunday after Easter is known also as the Sunday after Ascension Day. The Feast of the Ascension is celebrated on Thursday, May 1, forty days after Easter in keeping with the passage in the Acts of the Apostles 1:3: "After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God." Forty symbolizes fullness and sufficiency; the meaning is that Christ appeared to the disciples a sufficient number of days to establish certainly that he was risen and that he would continue to guide the Church. The nine days between Ascension Day and the Feast of Pentecost are known as the "first novena" (nine days of prayer) when the disciples gathered together and prayed for the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

THEME FOR THE SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

Today's Gospel presents Jesus taking leave of this world and still deeply caring for the welfare of his disciples whom he entrusts in love to God: "And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one." In the Collect we pray: "O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen."

The reading from Acts describes Jesus departing the earth in a scene that has been widely depicted by painters through the centuries: "As they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, 'Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.'" (Acts 1:6-14)

Psalm 68 speaks of the power of God's protection: "Father of orphans, defender of widows, God in his holy habitation! God gives the solitary a home and brings forth prisoners into freedom; but the rebels shall live in dry places ... You sent a gracious rain, O God, upon your inheritance; you refreshed the land when it was weary. Your people found their home in it; in your goodness, O God, you have made provision for the poor."

The reading from the first epistle of Peter reassures the faithful that God is with them even in their suffering and struggles. "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ's sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the spirit of glory, which is the Spirit of God, is resting on you. (1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11)

The reading from the Gospel of John is from a section called the "farewell discourse"; here Jesus speaks to the disciples of his physical departure. While Christ will no longer bodily be present, he will continue to dwell spirituallly in his disciples and lead them to God. "I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me ... Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. " (John 17:1-11)

Christians believe that Christ dwells within us, loving us, and drawing us closer to God. The Holy Eucharist is a special and privileged way to encouner Christ in the sacrament of bread and wine. I invite you to join us for the celebration of the Eucharist each weekend Saturday at 5 pm, Sunday at 10:30 am, and Sunday at 6 pm. In our worship, the risen Christ gathers us together and feeds us with the bread of life.

Sincerely,

David A. Killian
Rector

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Worship Services for the Seventh Sunday of Easter, May 3-4, 2008
Saturday, May 3, at 5:00 pm - Preacher: The Rev. Christian Brocato
Sunday, May 4, at 10:30 am - Preacher: The Rev. Christian Brocato
Sunday, May 4, at 6:00 pm - Preacher: The Rev. Leslie K. Sterling

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EVENTS at All Saints Parish

For a schedule of worship services, please click here. You are invited to join noted Harvard Scholar, human rights advocate, former political prisoner, and All Saints parishioner Dr. Yang Jianli as he begins his 500-Mile Walk to Washington D.C. for Human Rights and Freedom in China: GongMin "Citizen" Walk Kickoff Rally, Boston City Hall Plaza, Sunday, May 4th, 2:30pm - 4:30pm. Please click here for more information

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