Sixth Sunday of Easter
May 22, 2022

John 14:23-29

Jesus answered, “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me. I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I am coming to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe.” 

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Something to Do

Those who love me keep my word

Love is revealed in living so love Jesus by keeping his word – care for others, practice compassion and non-judgement, seek peace, speak out against injustice. There is no shortage of opportunity.

For example, Ascension member Debbie Grisdale invites us to join the campaign of Ban the Bomb Ottawa to call on the city to become a signatory to the City Campaign of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. The Cities Appeal is a commitment by a city or town indicating its support for the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) and its willingness to call on their national government to sign and ratify the Treaty without delay. 17 Canadian cities have already signed on. City Council will vote on the motion on May 25th.

Bishop Shane and Ascension’s Executive Committee have sent letters of support for the motion to Mayor Watson. You can read Exec’s here (and use it for crafting your own!).

Do not let your hearts be troubled

This is often easier said than done but practice helps. When you feel troubled or afraid, take time to ground yourself in the peace of Jesus. Breathe deeply and know you are being filled with the Holy Spirit, our Advocate and teacher. Remind yourself that Jesus, having gone to his Father, has become available to us in all times and places. He is with you now, in the midst of trouble, and so you can experience the troubles of the world without fear.

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Something to Wonder

the Holy Spirit…will remind you of all that I have said

Is there something you need the Holy Spirit to remind you of? Perhaps it is something that God once whispered just to you. Perhaps it is something that Jesus taught everyone but you have forgotten it – entirely or occasionally. Perhaps it is something that you make a habit of forgetting.

Sit quietly and invite the Holy Spirit to be your teacher.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you

What fills you with a sense of peace?
When was the last time you felt peaceful? What was that like?
What does peace feel in your body? In your mind?
How would you describe it to a child?
How would you describe it to someone who knows you very, very well?

Is peace a difficult thing for you to experience? How does Jesus’ promise of peace make you feel?

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Something to Learn

Christians and Disarmament

There are many Christian groups involved in peacemaking around the world and at home. Project Ploughshares is the peace research institute of the Canadian Council of Churches, engaging in research and advocacy at all levels of civil society with the goal of preventing armed conflict and creating peace.

Explore their website to learn about their findings and how you can support their work: Project Ploughshares.

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Something to Pray

Holy God, we do not always understand your word or your ways. 
Give us wisdom and imagination and courage as we learn and grow. 

The story this week has made me wonder about…
         (what questions are still on your heart?)
Receive my questions and help me hear your answers.

The story this week has filled me with…
         (how are you feeling?)
Accept my praise, heal my hurt, ease my worry.

The story this week has reminded me of…
         (are there situations or people you are thinking of?)
Be with all who are in need of you.

In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.

Fourth Sunday of Easter
May 8, 2022

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. 
   He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters; 
   he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
   for his name’s sake. 
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
   I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
   your rod and your staff—
   they comfort me. 
You prepare a table before me
   in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
   my cup overflows. 
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
   all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
   my whole life long.

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Something to Do

Go for a walk with your shepherd

Go for a walk somewhere you feel safe; somewhere that restores your soul. Walk in silence, breathing slowly and deeply, and know you are walking in the company of God.

Consider finding your way to the labyrinth at the church and walking there, winding your way into the centre and back out.

Have a feast with your shepherd

Make yourself a meal that you will really, really enjoy. It might be fancy or it might be simple. It might be one your own or it might be with other people. It might be a whole dinner or simply an afternoon snack. Whatever it is, make it something that will nourish your body and delight your taste buds. This is what God’s love feels like.

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Something to Wonder

Where are you walking?

Last year, I shared a guided reflection on Psalm 23 in our Fourth Sunday of Easter service. Walk your way through it again with this video. (the guided reflection starts at about the 2:50 mark.

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Something to Learn

Vocations Sunday

The Fourth Sunday of Easter, often called Good Shepherd Sunday, is also Vocations Sunday – a day of intentional prayer in many provinces of the Anglican Communion, the Lutheran Church, and the Roman Catholic Church that God would call people to ordained ministry (priests and deacons) and the religious life (to be nuns and monks). Learn more about Canadian Anglican religious communities here.

Of course, God also calls people to ministry that doesn’t involve ordination or taking vows and so this is a good day to pray for the development of lay vocations, too! The Body of Christ needs lay people to exercise their own ministries of oversight, pastoral care, evangelism, education, exhortation, prayer, peacemaking, and more – both within the church and in the whole of their lives.

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Something to Pray

Holy God, we do not always understand your word or your ways. 
Give us wisdom and imagination and courage as we learn and grow. 

The story this week has made me wonder about…
         (what questions are still on your heart?)
Receive my questions and help me hear your answers.

The story this week has filled me with…
         (how are you feeling?)
Accept my praise, heal my hurt, ease my worry.

The story this week has reminded me of…
         (are there situations or people you are thinking of?)
Be with all who are in need of you.

In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.