The Sunday after the Ascension occupies a unique place in the liturgical year, poised between the Ascension of Our Lord and the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. This period invites reflection on the anticipation of the Holy Spirit and the responsibilities of Christian service and witness. The readings from 1 Peter 4:7-11 and John 15:26-27; 16:1-4 offer profound insights into these themes.
1 Peter 4:7-11: Living in Service as the End Approaches
Peter’s first epistle reminds us that “the end of all things is near.” This eschatological awareness is not a cause for fear but a call to live with a greater sense of purpose and urgency in our Christian life. Peter urges us to be “alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.” Prayer here is not merely a refuge but a means of fostering a vigilant, spiritually active life.
Importantly, Peter emphasizes love: “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” In the context of impending ‘end times’, the primacy of love suggests that our interactions are to be characterized by forgiveness and charity, reflecting the depth of Christ’s love for us.
Hospitality and serving one another are further highlighted, noting that each has received gifts meant to be used to serve others “as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” This instruction ties the gifts of the Holy Spirit to practical, communal expressions of faith, showing that spiritual gifts are not for personal glorification but for the edification of the community and the furtherance of God’s kingdom.
John 15:26-27; 16:1-4: The Promise of the Spirit and the Call to Witness
In the Gospel of John, Jesus prepares His disciples for His departure and the challenges they will face, promising the Holy Spirit as the Advocate who will testify on His behalf. The disciples are called to also bear witness. This dual testimony of the Spirit and the believers is crucial for the Church’s mission in the world.
Jesus warns of persecution, a sober reminder that the Christian witness will often be met with hostility. However, His forewarning serves to strengthen the disciples, ensuring they are not taken by surprise when these trials occur. Through these passages, Jesus sets the stage for the Church’s mission post-Ascension, highlighting the indispensable role of the Holy Spirit in sustaining and empowering this mission.
Reflection for Today
The passages for this Sunday after the Ascension echo with themes of readiness, service, love, and witness. As modern-day disciples waiting for the return of Christ, we are called to a life marked by vigilant prayer, deep love for one another, judicious use of our spiritual gifts, and a steadfast commitment to the truth of the Gospel—even in the face of adversity.
In our current times, these passages encourage us to look beyond our challenges and focus on the transformative power of the Holy Spirit within us. We are reminded that our strength lies not in our numbers or acceptance by the world, but in the truth of Christ that we proclaim and the love we share.
As we live in these times of waiting—between the now of our daily struggles and the not yet of Christ’s return—let us embrace our calling with renewed vigor, knowing that “whoever speaks, [should do so] as one who speaks the very words of God.” Let us be the hands and feet of Christ, serving others with the gifts we have received, and faithfully witnessing to the truth of the Gospel empowered by the Spirit who dwells within us.
This Sunday, let us pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our lives, that we may truly live and love as Christ taught us, vigilant in service and courageous in witness.