STRETCHING SUNDAY

"The Holy Spirit also gave the apostles the other gifts and fruits necessary to fulfill the great commission - to go out and preach the Gospel to all nations. It fulfills the New Testament promise from Christ (Luke 24:46-49) that the Apostles would be "clothed with power" before they would be sent out to spread the Gospel."  (www.catholicnewsagency.com).  

What does it mean to be clothed with power?

I notice Christ did not promise the Apostles they would be armed with power.

Were the Apostles sent out to spread the Gospel to all nations with baseball bats and frying pans?

Were there stockpiles of weapons and ammunition in the Upper Room to keep the Apostles safe?

Not that I recall reading. 

Do we imagine that heaven is pierced and ascension is accomplished with rifles or surface to air missiles? 

No of course not.  

Are we brave, sane, humble, and free enough to imagine Love alone can pierce heaven?

I hope so.

There is time enough to continue debating, blaming, loving, hating, and shooting each other tomorrow.  

Please God stretch this beautiful delay out forever today.

Amen.

 Image Credit Unsplash

A cat does not debate,

Or blame, or hate.

They don't shoot dogs,

Just because they don't like them.

Their Holy Gospel is stretching!

They don't want money and power,

Or to be right.

They'd sooner go their own way,

Or take a nap,

I can relate.

Cb 2022 Ascension Sunday, Scarborough

 

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