Church of the Ascension

Weird things happen on mountaintops

The Story for the
Feast of the Transfiguration
February 14, 2021

prepared by the Rev’d Rhonda Waters

Mark 9:2-9

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He did not know what to say, for they were terrified.

Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 

Something to Do

Go up a mountain

Why are mountains so often thin places – places where there seems to be less distance between heaven and earth or the mundane and the sacred than usual?

We can’t do any mountain climbing these days but take a look at these Google Earth tours of some of the world’s highest peaks and let your spirit soar.

He did not know what to say

Do you ever find yourself at a loss for words – whether because you are frightened or sad or shy or just overwhelmed? Or perhaps you don’t feel at a loss for words, exactly. Perhaps your experience is more like Peter’s and words – any words – just spill out.

Either way, try silence. The next time you find yourself grasping at words, take a beat and see what you hear when you don’t fill the space with your own voice.

Something to Wonder

Elijah with Moses were talking with Jesus

What a gift this moment was for Jesus – a visit with two great ancestors upon whose teaching Jesus himself stood.

Who are the ancestors whose teaching has shaped you? These might be literal ancestors, as in family members, or they might be ancestors in your professional or political or spiritual life.

How have they shaped you? In what ways have you drawn on and expanded their teachings in your own life?

…and he was transfigured before them

Seeing someone you love transformed is itself a transformative experience. Peter, James, and John came down that mountain different people than who they were when they went up it.

How do you think they were changed?

Have you ever witnessed a transformation (probably one that took more time than this one)? How did it change you?

Something to Learn

The Politics of Bedazzlement

This is a wonderful (and brief) essay by Mark Davis on the transfiguration and our compulsion to put words on everything.

In the narrative of Mark’s gospel, Jesus’ journey to his cross in Jerusalem is interrupted by the incredible event of his Transfiguration. Peter’s rush to speech is characteristic of our frequent over-reliance upon words to process and respond to things that demand our silence and our wonder.
Read more.

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.

Praying in the Dark

The Story for the
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
February 7, 2021

prepared by the Rev’d Rhonda Waters

Mark 1:29-39

As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her at once. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

That evening, at sundown, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered around the door. And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place and there he prayed. And Simon and his companions hunted for him. When they found him, they said to him, “Everyone is searching for you.” He answered, “Let us go on to the neighbouring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.” And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.  

Something to Do

The whole city gathered around the door

Our city – and everyone’s city – is in desperate need of healing. Stand on the doorstep of your home or your apartment building and hold the city up in prayer. Use these words or find or your own or simple stand in silent love.

Lord Jesus Christ, you looked with compassion on all who came to you. Send your Spirit on this city and fill it with your peace. Strengthen the healers, comfort the sorrowful, soothe the sick, raise up the weary, and free us from all fear. Amen.

Everyone is searching for you

Go on a hunt for Jesus this week. Find him in the workers doing their jobs under difficult circumstances; in the masked faces on the street; in caregivers; in people receiving care; in people sitting on sidewalks as others walk by; in the people who share your life most intimately.

Something to Wonder

In the morning, while it was still dark

Imagine yourself into Jesus’ head. Mark is describing the early days (weeks?) of his public ministry. He has come back from his time of testing in the wilderness, gathered his first four disciples and seems to have become very well-known very quickly. Seekers – for teaching, for healing, for salvation – have come from all over.

And now Jesus has gotten up while it was still dark and slipped out on his own. Why was he up so early – was he unable to sleep or did he set a 1st century alarm or was he just an early riser? How was he feeling? What did he say to God during that quiet time?

Consider taking the time to actually write your thoughts down.

Let us go on to the neighbouring towns

Although most of us don’t live on the road the way Jesus did during his teaching ministry, many of us have lived in a variety of places – whether different towns and cities or simply different neighbourhoods.

How would you tell the story of your faith through those places. What did God teach you in each place? What opportunities for serving God did you find? What questions were raised for you? How was the kingdom revealed? How do you continue to carry each place with you?

Something to Learn

Praying the Hours

The Liturgy of the Hours is a daily pattern of prayer that marks the passing of the day though 7 times of prayer – sanctifying the whole day and infusing it with prayer.

Vigils (Midnight or later)          Waiting and reverie
Lauds (4-5 am or daybreak)     Waking
Prime (6 am)                            Beginning
Terce (9 am)                             Doing
Sext (Noon)                              Pausing
None (3 pm)                             Doing
Vespers (Sunset)                      Ending
Compline (Bedtime)                 Surrendering

Learn more about this ancient practice and ways to incorporate it into your own prayer practice.

Praying the Hours: Reclaiming my time

Explore the Divine Hours: a complete guide to the ancient practice of fixed-hour prayer

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.

A New Teaching

The Story for the
Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany
January 31, 2021

prepared by the Rev’d Adam Brown

Mark 1:21-28

The Man with an Unclean Spirit

21 They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. 22 They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23 Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, 24 and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28 At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

Something to Do

“Be silent”

Sometimes the anxieties and depression and all the other negative unhealthy stuff in our minds overwhelms us without us even realizing it. Take a moment to be quiet for a bit. Identify all the layers of how you’re feeling, why you’re feeling them, and then let them go with a deep breath.

Declutter

Take a moment to find a corner of your house gathering dust or clutter and tidy it up. When you’re finished take a moment to feel good about how good it looks.

Something to Wonder

Societal unclean spirits

What are some “unclean spirits” plaguing our society (Globally? Nationally? Locally?) and notice how education and dialogue often make no room for these unclean spirits anymore. How will you educate yourself and grow in empathy and understanding?

“Have you come to destroy us?”

Notice how the unclean spirit asked if Jesus came to destroy him. Rather than choosing the path of destruction Jesus told the unclean spirit to simply be quiet and leave – that it was no longer welcome here. How might that inform how we personally deal with things, people, or events that trouble us?

Something to Learn

The Immovable Ladder

The Rev’d Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a monumental advocate for striving for social change through the use of nonviolence.

You can read more about his journey to nonviolence, as well as his practical and theological thoughts on it, here: https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/encyclopedia/nonviolence/

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.

Called to Follow

The Story for the
Third Sunday after Epiphany
January 24, 2021

prepared by the Rev’d Rhonda Waters

Mark 1:14-20

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”

As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea – for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him.

As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him. 

Something to Do

And immediately they left their nets and followed him

You don’t necessarily have to leave your nets to follow Jesus – after all, you may well have followed Jesus to your particular nets. Sometimes, though, we can lose sight of the One we follow in the midst of the day-to-day. This week, as you go through your routine, ask Jesus to make you mindful that each step is intended for his service.

Begin like this:
Jesus, teacher and Saviour, be in my waking and fill my preparations for the day with thoughts of you.

Proclaiming the Good News

It might seem like there’s not a lot of good news around these days but the good news is still around – you just might have to look a little harder.

Look for the good news. Every day, make a point of noticing and celebrating good news, big or small. Write it down or tell a friend or just hold it close to your heart.

Something to Wonder

Following the Leader

What makes a good leader? Whose leadership do you admire? What kind of leader are you most comfortable following?

Does your description fit with how you might describe Jesus? In what ways yes and in what ways no?

Called by Jesus

Think back on your life and the decisions you have made. When have your decisions been shaped by a sense of Jesus’ call? What did that feel like? Is there a pattern or familiar shape to that sense of Jesus’ call? How do you attune yourself to it?

Something to Learn

Called to Follow

The Theology of Work Project maintains that God calls us all to work, whether that work is paid or unpaid. (Fortunately, they also maintain that work is only one aspect of our lives.). While I do not necessarily endorse everything on their website, it is a valuable source of reflection on how work can be – and needs to be – an expression of our Christian faith.

Two articles relevant to this week’s story:

The Calling of the First Disciples (Mark 1:16-20)
Calling & Vocation (Overview)

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.

Under the Fig Tree

The Story for the
Second Sunday in Epiphany
January 17, 2021

prepared by the Rev’d Adam Brown

John 1:43-51

Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael

43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him about whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus son of Joseph from Nazareth.” 46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” 47 When Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him, he said of him, “Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!” 48 Nathanael asked him, “Where did you get to know me?” Jesus answered, “I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.” 49 Nathanael replied, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” 50 Jesus answered, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.” 51 And he said to him, “Very truly, I tell you,[m] you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

Something to Do

Epiphany Tree

If you’re like me, you may be procrastinating and still have your Christmas Tree up in your living room. If you do, make a decoration inspired by this week’s readings and hang it on the tree. If you’ve already gone ahead and thrown it out or put it away, make a decoration anyway and find somewhere else to hang it for the week.

Under the Tree

Take a walk sometime this week and stand under a tree. Where do you see Jesus? What is he saying to you?

Something to Wonder

“Come and See”

We often associate the invitation of “come and see” to Jesus, but in this passage it’s Philip who who invites Nathanael. How have you heard the call of others to “come and see”? What about the saints? Do any stand out to you?

Gathering Places

Fig trees are often the symbol of people coming together and congregating for community or study. As we are in another lockdown, how have you or others found innovative ways to still maintain a sense of community?

Something to Learn

The Immovable Ladder

The phrase, “…you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.” calls to mind the story of Jacob’s Ladder (Genesis 28:10-19) with the ladder being a symbol or a prophecy of Jesus. Another, more visible and infamous, ladder in our own times is the “Immovable Ladder” at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. A product of centuries of disagreements and division, both between the Church and the secular governments that come and go, and amongst Christians themselves, the ladder has remained a symbol of a desire for Christian ecumenism and unity for hundreds of years. In 1964 Pope Paul VI declared that the ladder would only be taken down when all Christians have finally reunited.

You can read more about the Immovable Ladder here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Status_Quo_(Jerusalem_and_Bethlehem)

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.