No one is alone

14May
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’

-Matthew 28:16-20



When Alex and I were living in DC and first starting our family, we attended St. Alban’s, a sweet lively community located right next door to the National Cathedral. I committed their motto to heart: 


We welcome the faithful, the seeker, and the doubter, for God’s embrace is wide and God’s good news is for all. 


Reading the Ascension Day passage assigned for today, I immediately thought of these words. The eleven remaining disciples are on the mountain to meet the resurrected Jesus. They worshipped him but some still doubted. If even some of the original (my kids would say OG) apostles were still working through doubt as they experienced the Easter Jesus, then surely it is ok that we, two thousand years later, go through seasons of doubt. 


The key comes in the next part of the passage. 


Despite their doubt, Jesus commends them: Go! Make disciples of all nations. Baptize them. Teach them what I have commanded. And remember I will be with you always. 

As I write this, I interpret Jesus to be telling his beloved followers: “fake it till you make it.” There was much work to do. The message of God’s unconditional love must be spread. The Beatitudes must be encouraged: the re-ordering of one’s life based noton the precepts of worldly values but on Kingdom values of peace, love, humility, grace.


It’s such hard work. sisyphean at times. And thus the final message


I am with you always, to the end of the age.


We are not alone. We are never alone. Jesus is with us.  


No One is Alone - Stephen Sondheim "Into the Woods"


Almighty and everliving God, let your fatherly hand ever be over us your servants; let your Holy Spirit ever be with us and so lead us in the knowledge and obedience of your Word, that we may serve you in this life, and dwell with you in the life to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. 

-BCP 419

Ascension

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