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"Martyrs of Uganda," (20th century) painting (detail). Emmaus House, Kampala, Uganda.

Theme of the Day

In today’s readings the risen Christ ascends into heaven and his followers are assured that the Spirit will empower them to be witnesses throughout the earth. The disciples are told to not gaze up into heaven to look for Jesus (Acts 1:11); we find his presence among us as we proclaim the word and share the Easter feast. We too long for the Spirit to enliven our faith and invigorate our mission.

The Collect for Sunday

Almighty God, your blessed Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, ascended far above all heavens that he might fill all things. Mercifully give us faith to trust that, as he promised, he abides with us on earth to the end of time, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Prayer Intentions

The prayers of the church are offered especially:

  • for the joy and peace of the resurrection to fill the earth;
  • for the renewal of creation;
  • for peace in the world and especially for an end to the war in Ukraine;
  • for all refugees who flee war and violence;
  • for the needs of the world, especially at this time global pandemic;
  • for those who are particularly vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus;
  • for those who are sick and those awaiting surgeries postponed;
  • for those who are isolated and anxious;
  • for the healing of racial inequality, prejudice, bigotry, systemic racism, injustice, and hatred;
  • for all who grieve for lost children, for the survivors of Indian Residential Schools, and for generational healing;
  • for those who are homeless;
  • for all those who mourn, who are lonely, or suffer from depression;
  • for all those who work for reconciliation and the common good;
  • for Elizabeth our Queen and all those set in authority under her, for Justin, the Prime Minister of Canada and all members of parliament; Doug, the Premier of Ontario and all members of the legislature; Fred, the mayor of Hamilton and those who serve city council;
  • for the First Nations of this land, for elders, chiefs, and band councils; for all in civil authority and for all citizens that we might work together for the common good;
  • for the whole church: for Susan, our Diocesan Bishop; for David and Brian, our priests; for all bish­ops, priests and dea­cons; and for all the bap­tized: that God may accomplish God's work in and through us for the sake of the world;
  • for all for whom we have been asked to pray, especially Olga;
  • for those who are dying and all those who have departed from this life and are at rest. 

In our cycles of prayer:

  • With the worldwide Anglican Communion, we pray for The Church of South India (United).
  • In our diocese, we pray for St. Paul’s, Jarvis, The Reverend Canon Richard Moorse, Rector and the people of that parish.
  • In our neighbourhood we pray for for all local businesses, their proprietors, employees, clients, and customers.
  • In our parish cycle of prayer we pray for Sharon, Bruce, Miranda, Melodie, Judith, Geoffrey, Ruwan, Therese, Nethmi, Thiyuni, Beth, and Jim. We pray also for Artaban Place, our neighbours: for all residents; for members of the Artaban Place Board of Directors; and for the building Superintendent. 

Prayer requests to be included on the following Sunday can be submitted here by the Thursday morning before.

The Readings for Sunday

Before he is lifted into heaven, Jesus promises that the missionary work of the disciples will spread out from Jerusalem to all the world. His words provide an outline of the book of Acts.

[Luke writes:] 1In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning 2until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. “This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me; 5for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
 6So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Psalm: Psalm 47

God has gone up with a shout. (Ps. 47:5)

 1Clap your hands, | all you peoples;
  shout to God with a | joyful sound.
 2For the Lord Most High is | to be feared:
  a great king over | all the earth,
 3who subdues the | peoples under us,
  and the nations un- | der our feet;
 4who chooses our inheri- | tance for us,
  the pride of Jacob, | whom God loves. R
 5God has gone up | with a shout,
  the Lord with the sound | of the ram’s horn.
 6Sing praises to | God, sing praises;
  sing praises to our | king, sing praises. R
 7For God is king of | all the earth;
  sing praises | with a song.
 8God reigns o- | ver the nations;
  God is en- | throned on high.
 9The nobles of the peoples have gathered as the people of the | God of Abraham.
  The rulers of the earth belong to God, who is high- | ly exalted. R

Psalm (alternate): Psalm 93

Ever since the world began, your throne has been established. (Ps. 93:2)

 1The Lord is king, robed in majesty; the Lord is robed in majesty and | armed with strength.
  The Lord has made the world so sure that it can- | not be moved.
 2Ever since the world began, your throne has | been established;
  you are from | everlasting. R
 3The waters have lifted up, O Lord, the waters have lifted | up their voice;
  the waters have lifted up their | pounding waves.
 4Mightier than the sound of many waters, mightier than the breakers | of the sea,
  mightier is the Lord who | dwells on high.
 5Your testimonies are | very sure,
  and holiness befits your house, O Lord, forever and for- | evermore. R

Second Reading: Ephesians 1:15-23

The risen and exalted Christ reigns over the entire universe. The author of Ephesians prays that we are given the wisdom to know the power of the risen Christ and the empowering hope that the knowledge of this inheritance provides.

15I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason 16I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. 17I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, 18so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, 19and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. 20God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. 22And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, 23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

Gospel: Luke 24:44-53

On the day of his ascension, Jesus leaves his disciples with a commission, a blessing, and a promise of the Holy Spirit.

44[Jesus said to the eleven and those with them,] “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.”45Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things. 49And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
 50Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. 51While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. 52And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; 53and they were continually in the temple blessing God.

This Week in Holy Time

  • Sunday (29): Ascension Sunday [Jerusalem Sunday in solidarity with the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem] (The Lord's Day). 
  • Monday (30): Roberta Elizabeth Tilton, Founder of the Women's Auxiliary of the Canadian Church, 1925 (Commemoration); Eve of the Visitation.
  • Tuesday (31): The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Elizabeth (Holy Day).
  • Wednesday (June 1): Justin, Martyr at Rome, Teacher, c. 167 (Memorial).
  • Thursday (2): Martyrs of Lyons: Blandina and her Companions, 177 (Commemoration). 
  • Friday (3): Martyrs of Uganda, 1886, and Janani Luwum, Archbishop of Uganda, 1977 (Memorial).
  • Saturday (4): John XXIII, Bishop of Rome, Reformer, 1963 (Commemoration); Eve of Pentecost.
  • Sunday (5): The Day of Pentecost (Principal Festival) (Red). 

For readings appropriate to the day visit here.

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