Thursday, May 9, 2024  

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Today's Hymn
“Alleluia! Sing to Jesus”

Alleluia! Sing to Jesus;
his the scepter, his the throne;
Alleluia! his the triumph,
his the victory alone!
Hark! The songs of peaceful Zion
Thunder like a mighty flood:
“Jesus out of every nation
has redeemed us by his blood.”

Alleluia! Not as orphans
are we left in sorrow now;
Alleluia! he is near us;
faith believes nor questions how.
Though the cloud from sight received him,
when the forty days were o'er,
shall our hearts forget his promise:
“I am with you evermore”?

Alleluia! Bread of angels,
here on earth our food, our stay;
Alleluia! here the sinful
flee to you from day to day.
Intercessor, friend of sinners,
earth's redeemer, hear our plea
where the songs of all the sinless
sweep across the crystal sea.

Alleluia! King eternal,
Lord omnipotent we own;
Alleluia! born of Mary,
earth your footstool, heaven your throne.
As within the veil you entered,
robed in flesh, our great high priest;
here on earth both priest and victim
in the eucharistic feast.

William Chatterton Dix
Hymn 260, Glory to God

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Reflection

Waiting is a familiar experience for the people of God. In the Bible, you will find more than 100 stories about God’s people waiting.

Abraham and Sarah waited for a child. David waited to be king. The Israelites waited for freedom.

The disciples were no different. Throughout their journey with Jesus, the disciples asked when it would be time for him to act and restore the kingdom of God. And each time they asked, Jesus told them to wait. After the miracles, after the procession into Jerusalem, after he rose from the dead — wait.

Now one last time, the disciples plead: Is now the time you are going to act? Jesus again tells them to wait. And then he rises, ascends into heaven — and the disciples are left to wait for an unknown future.

Today is Ascension Day, and while the day acknowledges Jesus’ departure to heaven, its core message revolves around hopeful anticipation. Just as Jesus instructed his disciples, we are called to eagerly await the arrival of the Holy Spirit. This isn’t a period of passive waiting but a time brimming with active preparation and a fervent sense of expectation.

Hymn writer William Chatterton Dix beautifully captures this sentiment in “Alleluia! Sing to Jesus.” He reminds us that even in our waiting, Jesus remains present. Through the sacrament of Communion, Christ offers himself anew, providing strength and solace for the journey and the wait ahead. Though his physical body has departed, he remains our food and stays in the bread and cup. Sustained and encouraged by the eucharistic feast, we actively wait for God’s future to greet us.

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Prayer
O God, on this Ascension Day, as I await your coming in the Holy Spirit, grant me a patience that is not passive but filled with anticipation and purpose. For your presence is constant, my strength and stay. Amen.

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Written by Shawn Fiedler, Major Gift Officer

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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