Sunday after the Ascension - Rector's Rambling for May 12, 2024

     This Sunday is a “tween-er”, a day in between two major feasts.

Last Thursday we celebrated the Feast of the Ascension, our Lord returning into heaven and into the Godhead of the Triune Deity of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.  Next Sunday we celebrate Whitsunday, also known as Pentecost Sunday.  It is on that day that we are celebrate the gift of the Holy Ghost to empower the Church for the work of the ministry that she has been entrusted to in the world.

One of the ways we keep this period of time between Ascension and Whitsunday is to pray the Novena for the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  Since Friday we have posted the intentions and collects on the parish Facebook page, and shared via email.  We will continue to do so until next Saturday.  There are also printed copies of the novena in the narthex (church lobby).  I know that at random time of the year I will pick 9 days to pray this novena, or occasionally pray one or another of the collects for the novena at Morning or Evening Prayer. 

It is on this in between Sunday at we are celebrating a “secular” holiday, Mother’s Day.  The St. John’s Mother’s Day hymn is unique to our parish, having been written by a former assisting priest here.  We give thanks to God for our mothers, and pray for those moms in our lives who have loved us and helped us to become the people we are.

The month of May is also dedicated Mary the Mother of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  So today we are celebrating our moms, and Jesus’ mom as well!