Hide Not Your Face from Me

This past Sunday was Exaudi, the Sunday within the Octave (eight day celebration) of Ascension. So, having just celebrated the Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord last Thursday, what does it mean for us today that Jesus has ascended to the right hand of the Father? Is He no longer with us? Are we left to fend for ourselves until He appears in glory on the Last Day? That can’t be the case, since He promised His disciples and the Church His ongoing presence. God always keeps His promises; so we know that, even thought we can’t see Christ with our physical eyes, that He continues to be with us. Then how is He with us? How do we know that God continues to look upon us with His mercy and grace in Christ? What assurance do we have? The truth is that God has given us very particular means through which He gives us that assurance and confidence. Listen to the sermon from Father Leigeber to hear more.

God is gone up with a triumphant shout!

What a blessing it was to be able to gather together with our brothers and sisters in Christ at Zion Lutheran Church in Waldenburg yesterday to celebrate the Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord. In addition to being fed by Christ with His holy Word and blessed Sacrament in a wonderful Divine Service, we had the privilege of enjoying some hearty conversation and great food provided by the saints of Zion. God be praised!

A Little While and You Will See Me

This past Sunday was Jubilate Sunday–the Third Sunday after Easter. We heard in the Gospel lesson these words of our Lord: “A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father” (John 16:16). Jesus spoke this to the disciples in the upper room right before His arrest and crucifixion, and, in the context, these words refer to His death and burial (you will not see me) and His resurrection (you will see me). However, they also have something to say to us about the current time, when we don’t see Christ, and what we have to look forward to. Listen to the sermon for more.