Claimed, gathered and sent

Here are some thoughts on the gospel for Ascension, which we'll be using at St.Timothy Lutheran Church this Sunday. Gospel: Luke 24:44-53 44[Jesus said to the eleven and those with them,] “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.”45Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things. 49And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”   50Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. 51While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up int...

This meditation by Henri Nouwen says it all. Telling the Story of Jesus   The Church is called to announce the Good News of Jesus to all people and all nations.  Besides the many works of mercy by which the Church must make Jesus' love visible, it must also joyfully announce the great mystery of God's salvation through the life, suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus.  The story of Jesus is to be proclaimed and celebrated.  Some will hear and rejoice, some will remain indifferent, some will become hostile.  The story of Jesus will not always be accepted, but it must be told. We who know the story and try to live it out, have the joyful task of telling it to others.  When our words rise from hearts full of love and gratitude, they will bear fruit, whether we can see this or not.