May 8, 2005; The Seventh Sunday of Easter
Readings: Acts 1:1-14; 1Peter 4:12-19; John 17:1-11; Psalm 68.

The Rev. Dr. Hilary B. Smith

Witnesses To The New Reality

In our reading from Acts, we hear that following his resurrection Jesus appear to the aposles for forty days and spoke to them about the kingdom of God. Jesus told them to wait in Jerusalem for the coming of the Holy Spirit. They would receive power through the Holy Spirit and then go out to all the earth as witnesses to the new reality now known through Jesus. This new reality was the kingdom of God that they had experienced in the person of Jesus. The Ascension refers to the event, as described in Acts, of Jesus being "lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight." The people were gazing up when two men in white robes appear and asked them why they are just standing there looking up toward heaven.

We have been reading from the Book of Acts every Sunday since Easter Day. The readings give us some understanding of the begin of the Christian faith. Right from the beginning, Christianity was not simply about believing something but also about doing something. Faith is not an end in itself but a call to action. Had faith been an end in itself, those men of Galilee could have stared up at heaven forever. But staring up can cause one to lose sight of what is happening here on the ground.

Faith calls us to action. Experiences of God enable us to act on what we believe. As gripping as that experience of seeing Jesus taken up was, the apostles knew that it was time to get on with the mission. They left and join the others for prayer.

Prayer, faith and action are all part of the journey. Interestingly, anyone of the three can lead to the other two. Some people start with faith--they just know that they believe. Their faith leads to prayer and action. You might think that faith is necessary for prayer and action, but I've seen it work the other way.

Many who take action by feeding the poor, visiting the sick or someone in prison, going on a mission trip, find that they meet God in that action. Faith is kindled and prayer starts to flow. Some start with prayer---even the prayer "God I'm not sure that I believe in you, but I have a few things that I want to tell you."

Faith, prayer, and action are all part of the new reality that is the Christian perspective on life. We hear in the account of the Ascention that God did not want the apostles to stand around looking up. From today's gospel, we hear Jesus say, "this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." Eternal life begins now. We touch what is eternal through our relationship with God made possible by Jesus Christ.

The theology of the Ascension focuses on who Jesus is for us today. He ascended to be with us and the church always. The collect for Ascention Day contains this belief: "Almighty God, whose blessed Son our Savior Jesus Christ ascended far above all heavens that he might fill all things: Mercifully give us faith to perceive that, according to his promise, he abides with his Church on earth, even to the end of the ages." Jesus ascended not to leave but to be with all people in all times and places.

The theology of the Ascension is linked to Pentecost---the belief that the Holy Spirit would come, would be given, following the Ascension. On this Sunday between Ascention Day and Pentecost, we find ourselves remembering the drama that prepeared Jesus' followers to be witnesses to all the earth.

Remember from Acts, Jesus says: "you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." What can that statement mean for us? In a guide to preaching children's sermons, the author explains this as meaning, you will be my witnesses "at home, in school and around the neighborhood, and all around the world (Carolyn C. Brown, Forbid Them Not: Involving Children in Sunday Worship, Year A, Abingdon Press: 1992, p. 103.)"

How can be witnesses for Jesus? What does God what us to communicate to others? In general terms, it has something to do with the new reality that we experience through the Christian faith---the idea that eternal life begins now and that the power of God to make all things new is open to us.

How does one witness to this? There are many ways to be a witness. I alway like what St. Francis said: "Preach the Gospel at all times, and, if necessary, use words." The actions that bring us close to God and deepen our faith, such as helping someone in need and sharing what we have, also bring the Gospel message to others. We have a great mission; we are witnesses to new life and hope. As those men of Galilee were told, our faith is not about looking up to heaven but rather looking around us to see what God is doing and becoming more and more a part of what is eternal. Amen.