FROM THE RECTOR – May 8, 2020

“Are we there yet?”

As a child I remember saying these words shortly after beginning the 850 mile journey to visit my great-grandmother in Mississippi. “Are we there yet?” Sitting in the back seat with two older brothers wasn’t the most pleasant of experiences. I was just ready to be there and start having fun again.

My parents tried mightily to make it as pleasant as possible. Count the Esso signs, how many different state license plates can you count, special snacks and books would be brought out when the going got tough. But, there was always the question, “Are we there yet?’

I believe many of us feel like we are on a long road trip stuck in the back seat with two brothers, We’re just ready, no matter how hard we try to connect with others virtually, no matter how many notes we write or calls we make to seem “normal”, no matter how many walks we take or projects we work to complete, no matter how much we try to convince ourselves that watching or listening to Sunday worship is great, we’re just ready for it to be over.

May 21st is Ascension Day; that day when in the sight of his disciples Jesus ascended into heaven; that event depicted in the widow over the altar at Saint Paul’s. In Acts the disciples asked Jesus, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses…to the ends of the earth.” In other words “Lord, are we there yet?”

Jesus reminded his disciples and reminds us that time is in God’s hands and that we are given power to continue his work through the gift of the Holy Spirit. When the journey seems long with no end in sight we continue to be the Church. Empowered by the Spirit given to us in baptism and nourished by this community of faith we continue to be witnesses to the transforming power of God’s love.

“Are we there yet?” Nope, and we don’t know when, but until then, let us continue to be the Body of Christ for each other and “to the ends of the earth.”

Let us pray:

Almighty God, whose blessed Son our Savior Jesus Christ ascended far above all heavens and left his disciples wondering “are we there yet?”. Give us faith to perceive that, according to his promise, he abides with his Church, with us, even to the end of the ages; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.