Today's gospel: 'What does it mean?', and Ascension Day






The Thinker/ Le Penseur

Bronze sculpture by Auguste Rodin, 1904




Today's gospel      John 16:16-20


‘A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me.’ Then some of his disciples said to one another, ‘What does he mean by saying to us, “A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me”; and “Because I am going to the Father”?’ They said, ‘What does he mean by this “a little while”? We do not know what he is talking about.’ 

Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, ‘Are you discussing among yourselves what I meant when I said, “A little while, and you will no longer see me, and again a little while, and you will see me”? Very truly, I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy.



Sacred Space

You can find a gentle prayer guide with a short reflection on this gospel here:

https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/2025-05-29/




Today's gospel: Ascension Day



Today is also Ascension Day, also known as the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord.


The gospel, Feast of the Ascension    Luke 24:46-53


and he said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.’

Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God.


Collect

God our Father,
you have raised our humanity in Christ
and feed us with the bread of heaven.
Mercifully grant that, nourished with such spiritual blessings,
we may set our hearts in the heavenly places;
where he now lives and reigns for ever. 


Christian Art

You can find a reflection on this gospel and on the Ascension here:
Exploring faith: An invitation

If you would like to join a small group of adults which enables these and other questions to be explored in a safe, comfortable and relaxed environment, over tea/food, please contact us for information:

Rev. Suzanne Cousins

Email: aughaval@tuam.anglican.org






Logo for the Youth Alpha film series which explores such questions as:
What is life about? Who was Jesus? Why did Jesus have to die? How can I have faith? How can I know God? Why and how do I pray? What about church?





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