A Feast of Sundays

In researching the Lutheran Lectionary, I found an interesting progression through the Sundays we will be doing the show. Basically, the show straddles the Ascension—when Jesus finally shuffles off this mortal coil and leaves the world of men. Looking at the readings associated with these particular Sundays, there seems to be a progression from:
The Tangible—the last bits of advice Jesus has to give while he is in the world of humans.
To the Emotional—the realization of the prophecies. Jesus is in fact ‘of the Father’ and therefore is to be worshipped.
To the Conjectural—he will come again and if you keep to the path you will be able to join him in heaven.


May 9th, 2010 is Rogate, the 5th Sunday after Easter. This is the Sunday before the celebration of the Ascension.

The Epistle is James 1:22-27 which begins…

But be ye doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightaway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

The Gospel is John 16: 23-30 which contains…

These things have I spoken to you in proverbs: but the time cometh, when I shall no more speak unto you in proverbs, but I shall show you plainly the Father.

And…

I am come forth from the father and am come into the world: again, I leave the world and go to the father.

May 16th, 2010 is the Feast of the Ascension. This is the Sunday of celebration of the ascension of Christ to, ya know, sit at the right hand of God the Father.

The Epistle is Acts 1: 1 -11 which contains…

He was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward Heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven?

The Gospel is mark 16: 14-20 which contains…

Go ye into the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (I assume that includes squirrels.)

May 23rd, 2010 is Exaudi, the Sunday after the Ascension.

The Epistle is 1 Peter 4:7 -11 which contains…

As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grade of god.

The Gospel is John 15: 26 to 16:4 which contains..

But when the comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the father, even the spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the father, he shall testify of me: and ye shall also bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
And ‘The Gradual’ (a call and response prayer) contains…

I will not leave you comfortless: I go, and I will come again to you, and you heart shall rejoice.