The Ascension - 2018

The Ascension-Day.

Psalm 8

Domine, Dominus noster

O LORD our Governor, how excellent is thy Name in all the world : thou hast set thy glory above the heavens!

2. Out of the mouth of very babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength, because of thine enemies : that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

3. For I will consider thy heavens, even the works of thy fingers : the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained.

4. What is man, that thou art mindful of him : and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

5. Thou madest him lower than the angels : to crown him with glory and worship.

6. Thou makest him to have dominion of the works of thy hands : and thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet;

7. All sheep and oxen : yea, and the beasts of the field;

8. The fowls of the air, and the fishes of the sea : and whatsoever walketh through the paths of the seas.

9. O Lord our Governor : how excellent is thy Name in all the world!

The Collect.

GRANT, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that like as we do believe thy only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended into the heavens; so we may also in heart and mind thither ascend, and with him continually dwell, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

Old Testament Reading: Daniel 7.9-14

Psalter: Psalm 96

Epistle Reading: Acts 1.1-11

Gospel Reading: St. Luke 24.49-53

Homily: http://orderofcenturions.org/documents/ascension_chrysostom_acts1_1.html

Personal: This morning in my time of reading and praying, this prayer came about. It incorporates the Westminster Shorter Catechism:

Christ has risen! Christ ascended! Christ reigns!

You ascended into heaven; * God and man in two distinct natures and one person, forever (WSC 21)!

You ascended into heaven, having finished the race, and have sat down at the right hand of the throne on high; * God and man in two distinct natures and one person, forever!

You ascended into heaven to be our perpetual prophet, revealing to us, by your word and Spirit, the will of God for our salvation (WSC 24); * God and man in two distinct natures and one person, forever!

You ascended into heaven to be our permanent priest, after having once offering up yourself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, reconciling us to God, and now in making continual intercession for us (WSC 25); * God and man in two distinct natures and one person, forever!

You ascended into heaven to be our constant king, in subduing us to yourself, in ruling and defending us, and in restraining and conquering all your and our enemies (WSC 26); * God and man in two distinct natures and one person, forever!

Glory be to you, O Christ, ascended into heaven; * God and man in two distinct natures and one person, forever!