Church of the Ascension

The Story at Home

Holy Week begins on Sunday

Palm Sunday
April 10, 2022

Luke 19:28-40

After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he had come near Bethphage and Bethany, at the place called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village ahead of you, and as you enter it you will find tied there a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ just say this, ‘The Lord needs it.’” So those who were sent departed and found it as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” They said, “The Lord needs it.” Then they brought it to Jesus; and after throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. As he rode along, people kept spreading their cloaks on the road. As he was now approaching the path down from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully with a loud voice for all the deeds of power that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven!” Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, order your disciples to stop.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.” 

Something to Do

Holy Week is coming

Take some time to decide how you will spend next week. Will you take on a special fast or an additional time of prayer? Will you fill your home with special music? How will you celebrate the great Feast of Easter?

There are a variety of services and resources being offered at Ascension, both gathered worship and supports for home worship. The schedule is here and more details will be shared later this week.

Even the stones would shout out

God for a walk and imagine the stones and trees and waterways shouting their praises to God. Imagine the roads and the streets and the buildings raising their voices in adoration. Imagine every single thing joined together in a song of love and thanksgiving. Then add your voice to the song (outloud if you dare!)

Something to Wonder

The Lord needs it

Have you ever wondered how such a strange explanation could have convinced the owner of the donkey to send it off with the disciples? How do you think you would have responded?

Have you ever been confronted with such an explanation – albeit probably in a less straightforward manner? What did you do?

Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord

The language of kingship can be difficult for us to work with but remember that, for much of history and in much of the world, it was the default. Naming Jesus as king was a radical act of confrontation, declaring the rule of the emperor and his people to be a false and unholy rule. Consider the power of such a declaration – and consider what naming Jesus as ruler might displace in our world and in your life.

Something to Learn

Jews and Holy Week

As we prepare to hear the story of the Passion this Sunday and through the following week, it is important to think carefully about the way our Scriptures depict Jews and the way that our tradition has treated Jews.

Read Holy Week and the hatred of the Jews: How to avoid anti-Judaism this Easter by Amy-Jill Levine, a Jewish scholar of the New Testament and Jewish Studies.

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.

The Smell of Generosity

Fourth Sunday of Lent
April 3, 2022

John 12:1-8

Six days before the Passover Jesus came to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. There they gave a dinner for him. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those at the table with him. Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (the one who was about to betray him), said, “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and the money given to the poor?” (He said this not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief; he kept the common purse and used to steal what was put into it.) Jesus said, “Leave her alone. She bought it so that she might keep it for the day of my burial. You always have the poor with you, but you do not always have me.” 

Something to Do

Fill your house with fragrance

Fill your home with a smell you love and that makes you feel luxurious like something very special is about to happen. Maybe it’s a perfume or the smell of fresh baking or crushed herbs or cut plants. Offer the fragrance as a prayer of thanksgiving.

You always have the poor with you

Set aside the depressing nature of Jesus’ observation and respond to the reality that poverty is indeed still with us. If you have more than you need, give some of it away.

Something to Wonder

Where do you fit?

There are five characters in this scene at the dinner in Bethany:

  • Jesus, the honoured guest facing a difficult path
  • Lazarus, the man recently raised from the dead
  • Martha, serving the dinner to her guests
  • Mary, pouring out valuable ointment on Jesus’ feet
  • Judas, challenging and scheming

Who do you identify with? Why? How do you feel about that?
Is there someone you would rather identify with? Why?
Who do you least want to identify with? Why? Read the story again and try your best to enter into it from that person’s perspective.

Pour it out on Jesus’ feet

What treasures do you hold? How can you pour it out on Jesus’ feet as an offering and a gift?

Something to Learn

Oils and Incense

Worship is a multi-sensory experience which includes our sense of smell. Some churches add fragrance to their worship on purpose, adding scents to the oils used for anointing or burning incense in their services. Even when we don’t add fragrance on purpose, though, it is part of our experience – the smells of our buildings, our fellow worshippers, the grounds around our churches. (At Ascension, we are mindful that some people have sensitivities to scent and try to limit the smells we introduce into our space.)

Learn about the history of anointing in this fascinating Wikipedia article.
And a little about the use of incense in this fact sheet from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.

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.

Happy are they whose sins are forgiven

Third Sunday of Lent
March 27, 2022

Psalm 32

Happy are they whose transgressions are forgiven, and whose sin is put away!
Happy are they to whom the Lord imputes no guilt, and in whose spirit there is no guile!
While I held my tongue, my bones withered away, because of my groaning all day long.
For your hand was heavy upon me day and night; my moisture was dried up as in the heat of summer.
Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and did not conceal my guilt.
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” Then you forgave me the guilt of my sin.
Therefore all the faithful will make their prayers to you in time of trouble;
when the great waters overflow, they shall not reach them.
You are my hiding-place; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance.
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way that you should go; I will guide you with my eye. 
Do not be like horse or mule, which have no understanding; who must be fitted with bit and bridle,
or else they will not stay near you.” 
Great are the tribulations of the wicked; but mercy embraces those who trust in the Lord. 
Be glad, you righteous, and rejoice in the Lord; shout for joy, all who are true of heart.

Something to Do

Pray the Psalm in song

The psalms have been sung in prayer since the earliest days. Listen to Psalm 32 in a variety of musical settings:

In Hebrew by a Sephardi Jewish cantor

In English by the monks of the Little Portion Hermitage

In English by the Salisbury Cathedral Choir (Anglican)

A contemporary song by Steve Bell

A livelier setting by The Corner Room

Psalm 135 in Greek by the monks of St. Anthony’s Greek Orthodox Monastery (I couldn’t find Psalm 32!)

Unburden Yourself

The psalmist sings of the joy that comes when you release your guilts and worries to God for God faithful responds with forgiveness and renewal. Examine your heart and open it up to God. This can be a time of private prayer or you can reach out to Rhonda in order to learn more about the rite of reconciliation.

Something to Wonder

Happy are they whose sins are forgiven

Think of a time when you have been forgiven by someone you love. What led to that forgiveness? How did it feel? What is your relationship with that person like now?

Think of a time when you forgave someone you love. What let to that forgiveness? How did it feel? What is your relationship with that person like now?

Is there someone you have not forgiven? Is there someone who has not forgiven you? If so, are you on a path towards forgiveness? Do you want to be? Why or why not? What would you need to change the situation?

Bring the situation to God in prayer and ask God what you should be praying for.

Do not be like horse or mule

What things can cause you to wander away from God?
What things (short of a bit and bridle!) help you stay close to God?

Something to Learn

The Examen

If you have been reading the Story at Home for a while, you may have already been introduced to the prayer practice known as the Ignatian Examen. This prayer comes from St. Ignatius, the founder of the Jesuits, and is a powerful tool for engaging with God’s presence in our lives and our own spiritual growth. It can be a general examination of your day or it can be adapted to help you focus on particular areas or issues of concern.

Jesuits.org offers an introduction to the practice and a number of variations, including the everyday examen, an ecological examen, an examen for racism, and a social media examen.

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.

Challenged to Bear Fruit

Second Sunday of Lent
March 20, 2022

Luke 13:1-9

At that very time there were some present who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. He asked them, “Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. Or those eighteen who were killed when the tower of Siloam – fell on them – do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others living in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did.” Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and found none. So he said to the gardener, ‘See here! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and still I find none. Cut it down! Why should it be wasting the soil?’ He replied, ‘Sir, let it alone for one more year, until I dig around it and put manure on it. If it bears fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'” 

Something to Do

Pray

Jesus is responding to news of terrible violence – the murder of his fellow Galileans by Roman forces while they were at worship. Join your prayers to his and pray for all those who are killed at the hands of empire. Pray for peace. Pray for justice. Pray for healing.

Bear Fruit

When a tree bears fruit it nourishes life for others and ensures fruit trees for generations to come. Plant something this week – a literal plant, perhaps, or an investment of time in a relationship or a gift of money to an organization doing good work or the creation of a work of art and beauty.

Something to Wonder

unless you repent, you will all perish as they did.

Jesus’ warning needs some unpacking. It is important to notice that it comes after his insistence that tragedy and violence are not the consequences of sin – so he can’t be saying that perishing is the consequence of a failure to repent. What, then, is he saying?

How did the victims of Pilate and the tower of Siloam perish? How would repenting prevent perishing in the same way? What is the connection between this warning and the parable about the fig tree?

why should it be wasting the soil?

Are there aspects of your life or habits of your mind that seem to be “wasting the soil” instead of producing good fruit? Do they need to be cut down to make room for healthier growth? Or do they need to be fertilized and nurtured in order to become fruitful?

Something to Learn

How do we bear fruit?

The Anglican Diocese of Ottawa’s 125th anniversary lectures have all offered perspectives on the question of how the church is called to bear fruit. Each lecture is about one hour long – the rest of the run time is the Q&A.

The Rev’d Dr. Sam Wells invites us to re-imagine the church so that we can live in God’s future now.

Signs of Hope in the Fight against Climate Change brings together four panelists to educate and inspire action.

The Rev’d Dr. Jason McKinney asks us to rethink our relationship to property in his lecture “The Church as Commons: A Theological Case for Affordable Housing”

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.

As a Hen Gathers Her Brood

Second Sunday of Lent
March 13, 2022

Luke 13:31-35

At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to Jesus, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’ Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.'” 

Something to Do

the city that kills the prophets

Jerusalem is not just a city. It is THE city. It is the seat of power and, in Jesus’ day, it is the seat of local power under the authority of the Roman Empire.

Prophets are, fundamentally, truth-tellers, carrying the Word of God to the people whether the people want to hear it or not.

Jesus knows those in power do not want to hear the truth he is bringing them – the truth of God’s healing, restoring, transformation love that demands God’s people change their lives and their world.

We are deeply privileged to live in a place where we will not be killed for telling those in power truths they don’t want to hear. Find a way to make use of that privilege this week.

As a hen gathers her brood

This is such a wonderful image of the tender love Jesus – and God – has for us. Unlike some of us, everyone Jesus talking had probably seen the care provided by a hen to her chicks. If you don’t have access to a chicken coop, watch these videos on YouTube instead.

One hen, 9 chicks

A hen on guard

Something to Wonder

some Pharisees came

Do you, like many of us, have a somewhat caricatured idea of who a Pharisee was? Can you think of other potentially helpful or at least complicated Pharisees in the Bible? If not, why not?

Who else do you think of as a caricature rather than as a person? Why is that? What steps could you take to change that?

as a hen gathers her brood

Have you ever felt like a chick under a wing? Or like a hen, gathering her brood?

How does this image for God make you feel? In what ways (if any) do you particularly like it? In what ways (if any) do you find it difficult? Why?

Something to Learn

Talking about God

Lent includes the call to study and meditate on the holy scriptures as we seek to turn our hearts and our lives firmly back to God. One reason to attend to Scripture is to seek to deepen and, often, correct our received understandings of God and God’s Word.

Watch this 15 minute lecture by Wil Gafney, Biblical scholar, translator and Episcopal priest, as she discusses the true richness and complexity of Biblical language for a God who transcends gender.

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.