Sunday after Ascension

Alleluia, Christ the Lord ascendeth into heaven - O come, let us adore him, Alleluia

 

Jesus is risen from the dead. Alleluia.

Jesus is exalted to the Father's right hand. Alleluia.

Jesus has transformed and remade heaven. Alleluia.
The Father sends the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, in Jesus' Name. Alleluia.

Jesus will come to judge the living and the dead at the end of the age. Alleluia 

 

Sunday After Ascension Day

News of the Order and commentary appear after the Proper Collect, Epistle and Gospel

O GOD, the King of glory, who hast exalted thine only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph unto thy kingdom in heaven; We beseech thee, leave us not comfortless; but send to us thine Holy Ghost to comfort us, and exalt us unto the same place whither our Saviour Christ is gone before, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

Source: Archbishop Cranmer [1549 AD]. The collect is based on the anthem that was sung on Ascension Day at Vespers "O King of Glory, Lord of Hosts, who today didst ascend in triumph far above all heavens, who did not leave us orphans..." and John xiv "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you " [Barbee and Zahl]

Isaiah lxv. 17, 1 St. Peter iv. 7  St. John xv. 26

Second Sermon of Leo on the Ascension

Sermon LXXIV.

 

BULLETIN

 

calendar  

Constantine, Emperor - May 22nd

Today marks Armed Forces Day in the United States. We salute those members of the Order who are on the rolls of their nation's military, Active, Reserve, and Retired and those who serve our Military Forces in civilian roles, and especially those deployed in harms way.

 

 

commentary

 

This Sunday we are in the midst of a church season of only 10 days: Ascensiontide. I recommend this article from Dr. Peter Toon on this traditional season that has been forgotten by most of the church since the 60s and 70s. http://pbs1928.blogspot.com/2007/05/ascensiontide-precious-season-of-10.html

 

The Homily for this Sunday is from Leo the Great, his second on the Ascension featured for the first time on the Order's site. One will not find a more orthodox sermon: an extract: read it all at the link above:

 

In order, therefore, dearly-beloved, that we may be capable of this blessedness, when all things were fulfilled which concerned the Gospel preaching and the mysteries of the New Testament, our Lord Jesus Christ, on the fortieth day after the Resurrection in the presence of the disciples, was raised into heaven, and terminated His presence with us in the body, to abide on the Father's right hand until the times Divinely fore-ordained for multiplying the sons of the Church are accomplished, and He comes to judge the living and the dead in the same flesh in which He ascended. And so that which till then was visible of our Redeemer was changed into a sacramental presence , and that faith might be more excellent and stronger, sight gave way to doctrine, the authority of which was to be accepted by believing hearts enlightened with rays from above.

 

Canticle of the Three Children

 

       BLESSED art thou, O Lord God of our fathers; * praised and exalted above all for ever.
    Blessed art thou for the Name of thy Majesty; * praised and exalted above all for ever.
    Blessed art thou in the temple of thy holiness; * Praised and exalted above all for ever.
    Blessed art thou that beholdest the depths, and dwellest between the Cherubim: * praised and exalted above all for ever.
    Blessed art thou on the glorious throne of thy Kingdom: * praised and exalted above all for ever.
    Blessed art thou in the firmament of heaven: * praised and exalted above all for ever.