260517 AOC Sunday Report

 

Anglican Orthodox Church _sm

Worldwide Communion

 Sunday after Ascension
May 17, 2026

Sunday Report

 Sunday after Ascension

The propers are special prayers and readings from the Bible. There is a Collect for the Day; that is a single thought prayer, most written either before the re-founding of the Church of England in the 1540’s or written by Bishop Thomas Cranmer, the first Archbishop of Canterbury after the re-founding.

 

The Collect for the Day is to be read on Sunday and during Morning and Evening Prayer until the next Sunday. The Epistle is normally a reading from one of the various Epistles, or letters, in the New Testament. The Gospel is a reading from one of the Holy Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The Collect is said by the minister as a prayer, the Epistle can be read by either a designated reader (as we do in our church) or by one of the ministers and the Holy Gospel, which during the service in our church is read by an ordained minister.

 

The propers are the same each year, except if a Red-Letter Feast, that is one with propers in the prayerbook, falls on a Sunday, then those propers are to be read instead, except in a White Season, where it is put off. Red Letter Feasts, so called because in the Altar Prayerbooks the titles are in red, are special days. Most of the Red-Letter Feasts are dedicated to early saint’s instrumental in the development of the church, others to special events. Some days are particularly special and the Collect for that day is to be used for an octave (eight days) or an entire season, like Advent or Lent. The Propers for today are found in the Book of Common Prayer page 179-180.

 The Collect for Ascension Day

Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that like as we do believe thy only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended into the heavens; so we may also in heart and mind thither ascend, and with him continually dwell, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.⁋This collect is to be said daily throughout the Octave

 The Collect for the Sunday after Ascension.

O GOD, the King of glory, who hast exalted thine only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph unto thy kingdom in heaven; We beseech thee, leave us not comfortless; but send to us thine Holy Ghost to comfort us, and exalt us unto the same place whither our Saviour Christ is gone before, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

 Epistle for the  Sunday after Ascension.  I Peter iv. 7.

THE end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen

 The Gospel for Sunday after Ascension. St. John xv. 26 and part of chapter xvi.

WHEN the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: and ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning. These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. They shall put you out of the syna-gogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me. But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them.

 

On Point – Lesson from Lilies

Without any toiling or spinning on their own part, God clothes the flowers in loveliness far surpassing any adornment which the most skillful human arts can provide. Flowers bloom but a day — and then fade. We are better than flowers. If our Father lavishes so much beauty on perishing plants — is there any danger that He will not provide clothing for His own redeemed children?

Of course it is not implied that like the lilies — we need neither labor nor spin. It is all right for lilies just to stand still and grow. That is their mission; that is the way God made them to grow. But He gave us hands, feet, brains, tongue, abilities, and will; and if we would be cared for as are the flowers — we must put forth our energies to produce the results of comfort. Yet Jesus tells us to consider how the lilies of the field grow. We ought to study the beautiful things in nature — and learn lessons from them. 

Here, it is a lesson of contentment which we are to learn. Who ever heard a lily complaining about its circumstances? It accepts the conditions in which it finds itself, and makes the best of them. It drinks in heaven's sweet light, air, dew, and rain — and unfolds its own loveliness in quietness and peace.

The lily grows from within. So ought we to grow, having within us the divine life, to be developed in our character and spirit.

The lily is an emblem of beauty; our spiritual life should unfold likewise in all lovely ways.

The lily is a picture of perfect peace. Who ever saw wrinkles of anxiety in a lily's face? God wants us to grow into peace.

The lily is fragrant; so should our lives be.

The lily sometimes grows in the black bog — but it remains unspotted. Thus should we live in this world, keeping ourselves unspotted amid its evil.

These are a few of the lessons from the lily.

Jerry Ogles, Presiding Bishop
Metropolitan AOC Worldwide

 We are fortunate to get copies of Bishop Jerry’s you tube links, devotions on the Prayer of the Collect and sermon notes.

 

Bishop Jerry creates videos on various subjects, they last just under ten minutes and this week’s videos are listed below:

Bishop Ogles Blog:
 https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com  

Bishop Ogles You Tube Channel
that is free to subscribe: all of his videos at:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuW3bgXBJFomPB5mZ4Oigxg

 

Article 22 Video Presentation – Of Purgatory

 

Bishop’s Blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2026/05/youtube-video-player_12.html

 

You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0LI07FV6Uk

 

  Monday Night Video Devotional: The Jordan River as a Type of Christ’s life.

 Bishop’s Blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2026/05/youtube-video-player_11.html

 You tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMB-i3-9SYs

 

 

      Wednesday Night Devotion: Master of the Ocean Seas vs the Spanish Armada

 Bishop’s Blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2026/05/youtube-video-player_02121922746.html

 You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v59HgWKHDC8

 

 Weekend Video Devotion:The Underground River of Shechem

 Bishop’s Blog: https://anglicanorthodoxchurch.blogspot.com/2026/05/youtube-video-player_01723870721.html

 You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eYyviNY_IU&t=2s

 

  Roy Morales-Kuhn, Bishop and Pastor
Saint Paul's Anglican Church - Diocese of the Midwest Anglican Orthodox Church
Suffragan Bishop of the AOC

 

Morning Prayer – Sunday after Ascension

Psalm 8         First Lesson: Isaiah  4:2-6           Second Lesson: Hebrews 4:14-5:10

O GOD, the King of glory, who hast exalted thine only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph unto thy kingdom in heaven; We beseech thee, leave us not comfortless; but send to us thine Holy Ghost to comfort us, and exalt us unto the same place whither our Saviour Christ is gone before, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

hymns    # 311, 464, 416

“ O Lord, why are you mindful of man?”

¹O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. (Ps. 8:1)

 On this Sunday after the Ascension, our scripture selection is a series of verses that set up praise and recognition of our Lord. The overall theme is of majestic presence, once on the earth, now in heaven. That of course, being Christ ascending into heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father. In the overall picture, we see an “out of this world” and in this world creator, God the Father.  He must be worshiped. 

David opens this psalm with an ascription of praise. He recognizes God as being above all and describes His glory as being even above the glory of the heavens.  Now David is writing about the visible heavens as will write in verse three of this psalm.  

²Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. 

This same creator, the God of the universe, uses what we would consider the weakest and the least powerful to confound those who oppose God. Babies and toddlers, from a human aspect, are so vulnerable, and yet God uses these to quell the enemies of his creation. This aside, if you would, gives us a sense of God’s humor and his total control of all things, when He uses the weakest to confound the strong. 

 This is also a foreshadowing of Christ coming to earth as an infant, Immanuel, God with us, who came as a babe and left after thirty some years an adult. He who would also confound man, most especially those who thought they were the most learned and educated of the day. 

 Interesting in the sense that those with the education felt that they were the ‘adults’ of society, all others were children and babies. When Jesus came along, a fellow who should be working with his hands, who will teach and preach with such power, would cause all manner of anger and dismay. All of this would confound the “enemy, the avenger” of the time, the learned in league with the Evil One.  

The scribes, Pharisee, and Sadducee would all be confounded by him, simply because they would not or could not listen to him, since he was not an “adult in their society.” Who was he to tell them that they were not understanding the word of God that they had before them?

  Remember the parable of the rich man and Lazarus? The rich man, after he and Lazarus are dead, begs Abraham, to send Lazarus to warn the rich man’s brothers of their imminent danger of perdition. Abraham tells the rich man that his brothers have the law and the prophets to warn them. So, in the same sense Jesus is warning the wise academics that they too have missed the message. The Messiah is here and he, Christ Jesus is him.

³When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; ⁴What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? 

Now David looks to creation and asks this question.: Why do you even care about man, why do you even think about him?  

Of course he is being a good Hebrew lawyer, he is asking a question to answer a question, which we see answered in the following verses. St. David is just astounded, after looking at the heavens, the stars in their patterns, the moon in its cycle, all this ‘work of your fingers,’ and then he asks that question; why are you mindful of him (man), and why do yo care about the son of man? Remember, this is the fellow who spent many nights and days out with the flocks. He watched the seasons come and go, he saw the stars, planets, and the moon go past his little place on this earth. He was very aware of how insignificant he was as compared to the great creation that was God’s .

Now notice if you would, how David ends this meditation. He shows how God has given a certain power to his primer creation. He answers the questions he asks of God.

⁵For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

He first points out our order in creation, that we are just under the angels as far as creation, but even more amazing than that, God has crowned us with glory and honor. This glory and honor as expressed by the next two verses in this psalm. This part of creation is to be for our use, we are to get the most out of it, the animals are to be our tools, in a sense this is the glory and honor bestowed upon us by God.

⁶Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet: ⁷All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field; ⁸The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.

David will end his meditation by coming back to the original theme, the praise of God and the recognition that He is Lord over all. Our lesson from this psalm should go with us this week, we should see that we are the part of a whole, we are created to worship God, he has given us the power over parts of his creation, we are to be good stewards of this power. And above all we are to understand that God is to be worshiped and that it is our obligation to be part of that worship.

⁹O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

As we focus on the work of Christ Jesus here on earth, and his continuing work by the Holy Spirit and the Scriptures, let us remember that the Ascension was not the end; it was the beginning. Now was the time for all believers to preach the Word, by message, life-work, and example, sharing the Good News to those who are lost. 

Let us pray:

 Almighty God, the strong Tower and Refuge of thy people; We entreat thy favor upon the officers and all who are enlisted in the service of defense of our country, upon land, and on the water, and in the air.  Ever spare them from being ordered into a war of aggression or oppression.  Use them if need be, as thine instrument in the defense of our national life and liberty.  But restrain, we beseech thee the greed and wrath of man, that wars may cease in all the earth.   Deepen in the hearts of our defenders the spirit of peace; and for his sake, may they ever love and serve the Prince of Peace, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen

 Fix our hearts on thee, O God, in pure devotion, that the vain pursuits of this world may have no hold upon us, that we may be changed, by the consuming fire of thy Spirit, into the image and likeness of thy Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the same Spirit be all honor and glory, world without end. Amen.

Merciful God, who hast given unto us all things, that pertain unto life and godliness: Grant that we may be faithful in the exercise of our duties; and that whatsoever thou givest us to do, we may do it heartily, as unto thee, O Lord, and not unto men, through him who hast called us to glory and virtue, Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord. Amen.

 IN Christ alone during Ascension:

 +Roy                                                                                                                         
   

 

Jose Rios
Bishop of Colombia - Cartagena
Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide

 

Jose began writing daily devotions in his native language on Christmas. If you would like to receive them by email, we would be happy to send them to you. Email aocworldwide@gmail.com.

 Estación de la Ascensión

Lucas 24:49-53

 

ELEVAD VUESTROS CORAZONES: PARTICIPACIÓN EN LA GLORIA DEL CRISTO ASCENDIDO

 

DEVOCIÓN PARA EL DÍA DE LA ASCENSIÓN

 

Oración inicial:

Dios omnipotente y eterno, que en la exaltación de tu Hijo has abierto para nosotros el camino hacia tu presencia, concede a tu Iglesia, peregrina en este mundo, contemplar con fe el misterio de su Ascensión, para que, fortalecidos por tu Espíritu, vivamos en esperanza, sirvamos con fidelidad y anhelemos la gloria que nos has prometido; por Jesucristo nuestro Señor. Amén.

Colecta del Día:

OTORGANOS, suplicámoste, oh Dios Omnipotente, que así como creemos que tu unigénito Hijo Jesucristo nuestro Señor subió a los cielos; así también ascendamos allá con nuestro corazón y nuestra mente, y habitemos siempre con Él, quien contigo, y el Espíritu Santo es un solo Dios, y vive y reina por los siglos de los siglos. Amén.

Meditación:

La Colecta de la Ascensión condensa, en una formulación de gran profundidad teológica, la dinámica participativa que define este misterio, aquello que ha sido consumado en la humanidad glorificada de Cristo se propone como vocación real para la Iglesia. La súplica de “ascender con el corazón y la mente” no debe interpretarse en clave de evasión espiritual ni de desarraigo histórico, sino como inserción anticipada —por la fe y en el Espíritu— en la vida misma de Dios. Esta elevación interior remite a una antropología teológica ya insinuada en el Antiguo Testamento, donde la iniciativa divina introduce al hombre en su esfera de gloria, el traslado de Elías (2 Re 2:11), la comunión singular de Enoc (Gn 5:24) y, de manera paradigmática, la entronización del rey en el Salmo 110 configuran un horizonte en el que la exaltación no es conquista humana, sino don soberano. En la tradición anglicana, esta verdad se hace operativa en la lex orandi, donde la oración no se limita a evocar el acontecimiento, sino que incorpora al orante en su dinamismo. En este sentido, la intuición de Agustín de Hipona resulta iluminadora: la Ascensión de Cristo implica ya, en forma incoada, la elevación de su Cuerpo que es la Iglesia, de modo que la esperanza no es simplemente futura, sino participada sacramentalmente en el presente (Enarrationes in Psalmos, 110).

La perícopa de Hechos 1:1–11 sitúa la Ascensión en el umbral entre la economía visible del Resucitado y la irrupción de la misión eclesial, articulando así una transición que es a la vez continuidad. La nube que sustrae a Cristo de la mirada de los discípulos —en continuidad con las teofanías del éxodo (Éx 13:21) y la dedicación del templo (1 Re 8:10–11)— no indica retirada, sino ingreso en la esfera de la gloria divina. Este símbolo, lejos de clausurar la relación, la reconfigura en términos de mediación y universalidad. La exhortación angélica que sigue (“¿por qué estáis mirando al cielo?”) no reprende la contemplación en sí, sino su absolutización estéril, la verdadera contemplación se verifica en la obediencia misionera. De este modo, la Iglesia es constituida como sujeto testimonial, en continuidad con la figura del Siervo del Señor (Is 52–53), cuya obra redentora se prolonga históricamente en aquellos que participan de su envío. La enseñanza doctrinal del anglicanismo, codificada en los Treinta y Nueve Artículos (especialmente el Art. IV), salvaguarda la objetividad de este acontecimiento al afirmar la realidad corporal de la Ascensión, fundamento del señorío presente de Cristo y de la eficacia de su mediación. En esta línea, Juan Crisóstomo interpreta la Ascensión no como disminución de la presencia, sino como ampliación de su alcance, Cristo, elevado a la diestra del Padre, ejerce desde allí un gobierno providente y una asistencia constante sobre su Iglesia (Homilías sobre los Hechos, I).

Por su parte, el testimonio lucano en Lucas 24:49–53 introduce una clave litúrgica de singular importancia. La reacción de los discípulos —caracterizada por el gozo y la perseverancia en la alabanza— manifiesta que la Ascensión no inaugura una experiencia de pérdida, sino una modalidad más profunda de comunión. Este gozo encuentra su trasfondo en la tradición cultual de Israel, donde la entronización divina es celebrada con júbilo (Sal 47; 68:18), y se proyecta ahora en la vida de la Iglesia como participación en la liturgia celestial. La bendición final de Cristo, pronunciada en el acto mismo de su elevación, revela la dimensión sacerdotal de su exaltación, como el sumo sacerdote que, tras el sacrificio, bendice al pueblo (cf. Lv 9:22), Cristo asciende inaugurando un ministerio permanente de intercesión y gracia. La recepción anglicana de este dato, particularmente en el Libro de Oración Común, integra la Ascensión en una economía litúrgica que une memoria, presencia y expectativa, configurando a la Iglesia como comunidad que ora entre la exaltación consumada y la efusión del Espíritu. La afirmación de León Magno resulta aquí decisiva, lo que en Cristo fue visible en su economía histórica se hace ahora accesible en la mediación sacramental (Sermón 74 sobre la Ascensión), lo que implica una transformación —no una supresión— de su modo de presencia.

En consecuencia, la Colecta, la Epístola y el Evangelio convergen en una síntesis teológica de gran coherencia, la Ascensión no establece una distancia entre Cristo y su Iglesia, sino que inaugura una forma superior de comunión que implica elevación interior, envío misionero y orientación escatológica. La Iglesia, incorporada al Cristo exaltado, vive ya —aunque de manera anticipada— en la realidad hacia la cual se dirige, sostenida por la promesa del Espíritu y llamada a manifestar, en la historia, la vida misma de aquel que ha sido entronizado en la gloria.

Lectura orante de la Palabra:

Contemplando Hechos 1:1–11, reconocemos que la Ascensión es tanto revelación como envío. Cristo instruye, promete y bendice antes de ser elevado. La nube que lo recibe recuerda la gloria del Sinaí y del templo, indicando que el mismo Dios que guió a Israel ahora se revela plenamente en Cristo. Los discípulos, llamados a no permanecer mirando al cielo, aprenden que la verdadera contemplación conduce a la obediencia. Esta enseñanza resuena con la vocación de Abraham (Génesis 12), llamado a caminar en fe hacia lo desconocido, confiando en la promesa divina.

En Lucas 24:49–53, la bendición de Cristo en el momento de su Ascensión revela el carácter sacerdotal de su exaltación. Como el sumo sacerdote que, tras ofrecer el sacrificio, bendice al pueblo (Levítico 9:22), Cristo asciende bendiciendo, inaugurando su ministerio celestial. Los discípulos responden con adoración continua, anticipando la vida litúrgica de la Iglesia. La tradición anglicana, en fidelidad a la Escritura y a los Padres, entiende esta permanencia en la alabanza como participación en la liturgia celestial (cf. Apocalipsis 5), donde el Cordero exaltado es eternamente adorado.

Esta lectura nos invita a elevar la mirada sin abandonar la tierra, a vivir entre la contemplación y la misión, entre la adoración y el testimonio.

Preguntas para la reflexión:

1.      Desde la Colecta: ¿De qué manera estoy elevando mi corazón y mi mente hacia Cristo, o sigo aferrado exclusivamente a las realidades temporales?

2.      Desde la Epístola: ¿Estoy asumiendo mi vocación de testigo del Cristo exaltado en medio del mundo?

3.      Desde el Evangelio: ¿Mi vida refleja el gozo y la adoración propios de quien reconoce a Cristo como Señor glorificado?

Aplicaciones prácticas:

1.      Desde la Colecta: Cultivar una disciplina diaria de oración contemplativa que oriente el corazón hacia la realidad celestial, integrando la vida espiritual con las responsabilidades terrenales.

2.      Desde la Epístola: Participar activamente en la misión de la Iglesia, dando testimonio de Cristo mediante palabras y obras, confiando en la promesa del Espíritu.

3.      Desde el Evangelio: Incorporar la alabanza y la gratitud como actitudes permanentes, especialmente en la participación litúrgica y sacramental.

Oración final:

Señor Jesucristo, que ascendiste a la diestra del Padre y vives para interceder por nosotros, eleva nuestros corazones hacia ti, para que, viviendo en este mundo con fidelidad, participemos ya de la vida celestial que nos has prometido. Haznos testigos de tu gloria, perseverantes en la oración, constantes en la misión y firmes en la esperanza. Por la gracia de tu Espíritu, concédenos habitar siempre contigo, hasta que, consumado el tiempo, te contemplemos cara a cara en la plenitud de tu reino; tú que vives y reinas con el Padre y el Espíritu Santo, un solo Dios, por los siglos de los siglos. Amén.

 English Translation – Ascension Day – Bishop Jose Rios

 Season of the Ascension: Luke 24:49-53

LIFT UP YOUR HEARTS: SHARING IN THE GLORY OF THE ASCENDED CHRIST DEVOTION FOR ASCENSION DAY

Opening Prayer: Almighty and eternal God, who in the exaltation of your Son have opened for us the way into your presence, grant to your Church—a pilgrim in this world—to contemplate with faith the mystery of his Ascension, so that, strengthened by your Spirit, we may live in hope, serve with faithfulness, and long for the glory you have promised us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Collect of the Day: Grant us, we beseech You, O Almighty God, that just as we believe that Your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, ascended into the heavens, so may we also ascend there with our hearts and minds, and dwell always with Him; who with You and the Holy Spirit is one God, and lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

Meditation: The Collect for the Ascension condenses—in a formulation of profound theological depth—the participatory dynamic that defines this mystery: that which has been consummated in the glorified humanity of Christ is set forth as a true vocation for the Church. The plea to “ascend with heart and mind” must not be interpreted in terms of spiritual escapism or historical detachment, but rather as an anticipatory insertion—through faith and in the Spirit—into the very life of God. This interior elevation points to a theological anthropology already foreshadowed in the Old Testament, wherein divine initiative draws humanity into God’s own sphere of glory; the translation of Elijah (2 Kings 2:11), the singular communion of Enoch (Gen 5:24), and—paradigmatically—the enthronement of the king in Psalm 110 together shape a horizon in which exaltation is not a human conquest, but a sovereign gift. In the Anglican tradition, this truth becomes operative within the *lex orandi*, where prayer is not limited to merely evoking the event, but rather incorporates the one praying into its very dynamism. In this regard, the insight of Augustine of Hippo proves illuminating: the Ascension of Christ already implies—in an incipient form—the elevation of His Body, which is the Church; thus, hope is not merely a future prospect, but something sacramentally shared in the present (*Enarrationes in Psalmos*, 110).

The pericope of Acts 1:1–11 situates the Ascension at the threshold between the visible economy of the Risen One and the irruption of the ecclesial mission, thus articulating a transition that is simultaneously a continuity. The cloud that withdraws Christ from the disciples' gaze—in continuity with the theophanies of the Exodus (Ex 13:21) and the dedication of the Temple (1 Kgs 8:10–11)—does not signify withdrawal, but rather entry into the sphere of divine glory. This symbol, far from bringing the relationship to a close, reconfigures it in terms of mediation and universality. The angelic exhortation that follows (“Why do you stand looking up toward heaven?”) does not reprimand contemplation in itself, but rather its sterile absolutization; true contemplation is verified in missionary obedience. In this way, the Church is constituted as a witnessing subject, in continuity with the figure of the Servant of the Lord (Isa 52–53), whose redemptive work is historically prolonged in those who participate in his sending. The doctrinal teaching of Anglicanism, codified in the Thirty-Nine Articles (especially Art. IV), safeguards the objectivity of this event by affirming the bodily reality of the Ascension—the foundation of Christ’s present lordship and of the efficacy of his mediation. Along these lines, John Chrysostom interprets the Ascension not as a diminution of presence, but as an expansion of its scope; Christ, exalted to the right hand of the Father, exercises from there a provident governance and a constant assistance over his Church (Homilies on Acts, I).

 For its part, the Lukan testimony in Luke 24:49–53 introduces a liturgical key of singular importance. The disciples' reaction—characterized by joy and perseverance in praise—demonstrates that the Ascension inaugurates not an experience of loss, but rather a deeper mode of communion. This joy finds its background in the cultic tradition of Israel, where divine enthronement is celebrated with jubilation (Ps 47; 68:18), and is now projected into the life of the Church as participation in the heavenly liturgy. Christ's final blessing, pronounced at the very moment of his elevation, reveals the priestly dimension of his exaltation; like the High Priest who, following the sacrifice, blesses the people (cf. Lev 9:22), Christ ascends, inaugurating a permanent ministry of intercession and grace. The Anglican reception of this datum—particularly in the *Book of Common Prayer*—integrates the Ascension into a liturgical economy that unites memory, presence, and expectation, shaping the Church as a community that prays between the consummated exaltation and the outpouring of the Spirit. The affirmation of Leo the Great proves decisive here: what was visible in Christ during his historical economy now becomes accessible through sacramental mediation (Sermon 74 on the Ascension)—an implication that entails a transformation—not a suppression—of his mode of presence.

 Consequently, the Collect, the Epistle, and the Gospel converge in a theological synthesis of great coherence: the Ascension does not establish a distance between Christ and His Church, but rather inaugurates a higher form of communion that entails interior elevation, missionary sending, and eschatological orientation. The Church, incorporated into the exalted Christ, already lives—albeit in an anticipatory manner—within the reality toward which it is journeying, sustained by the promise of the Spirit and called to manifest, within history, the very life of the One who has been enthroned in glory.

 Prayerfully Reading the Word: Contemplating Acts 1:1–11, we recognize that the Ascension is both revelation and commissioning. Christ instructs, promises, and blesses before being lifted up. The cloud that receives him calls to mind the glory of Sinai and of the Temple, indicating that the very God who guided Israel now reveals himself fully in Christ. The disciples—called not to remain gazing up at the sky—learn that true contemplation leads to obedience. This teaching resonates with the vocation of Abraham (Genesis 12), who was called to walk in faith toward the unknown, trusting in the divine promise. In Luke 24:49–53, Christ’s blessing at the moment of his Ascension reveals the priestly character of his exaltation. Like the High Priest who, after offering the sacrifice, blesses the people (Leviticus 9:22), Christ ascends while blessing, thereby inaugurating his heavenly ministry. The disciples respond with continuous worship, anticipating the liturgical life of the Church. The Anglican tradition—in fidelity to Scripture and the Church Fathers—understands this abiding in praise as a participation in the heavenly liturgy (cf. Revelation 5), where the exalted Lamb is eternally worshipped.

 This reading invites us to lift our gaze without forsaking the earth, to live between contemplation and mission, between adoration and witness.

 Questions for reflection:

1.         From the Collect: In what way am I lifting my heart and mind toward Christ, or do I remain clinging exclusively to temporal realities?

2.         From the Epistle: Am I embracing my vocation as a witness to the exalted Christ in the midst of the world?

3.         From the Gospel: Does my life reflect the joy and adoration characteristic of one who recognizes Christ as the glorified Lord?

 Practical Applications:

1.         From the Collect: Cultivate a daily discipline of contemplative prayer that directs the heart toward heavenly realities, integrating spiritual life with earthly responsibilities.

2.         From the Epistle: Actively participate in the mission of the Church, bearing witness to Christ through word and deed, trusting in the promise of the Spirit.

3.         From the Gospel: Incorporate praise and gratitude as abiding attitudes, especially in liturgical and sacramental participation.

 Final Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, who ascended to the right hand of the Father and live to intercede for us, lift our hearts toward You, so that, living faithfully in this world, we may already share in the heavenly life You have promised us. Make us witnesses of Your glory, persevering in prayer, steadfast in mission, and firm in hope. By the grace of Your Spirit, grant that we may always dwell with You, until, when time is fulfilled, we behold You face to face in the fullness of Your kingdom; You who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Bishop Jose Rios, Cartegena, SA

 

                                                                                                                              

                              Rev Bryan Dabney of Saint John’s AOC Vicksburg, Mississippi  

We are always grateful to get these wonderful sermons from Rev. Bryan, they keep us on our toes!

Sunday after Ascension

In our gospel lesson (St. John 15:26-16:4) we read the words of our Lord at the Last Supper: But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you. Our Lord warned the disciples that they would suffer persecution and rejection in their efforts to proclaim the gospel of truth. He advised them not to be offended. And in another place in St. John’s gospel, our Lord said, These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world, ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (16:33). Being a saved person ought to fill us with gratitude and joy for what our Saviour has done for us. But in order for us to have that joy, and his attendant peace that comes from his free gift of grace, we must heed his word and commandments. Good advice.

But a caveat is in order at this point. No doubt you may well have received a lot of advice from family and friends over the years. But the advice we get from the Scriptures should be of paramount interest to us who bear the name of Christ. As St. Paul instructed young Timothy, All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works (II Timothy 3:16-17). Nevertheless, we should keep in mind that human wisdom and understanding are the only things the unregenerate have to go on.

This is not to say that such wisdom is devoid of any value. I remember a hearing an anecdote about one of my relations and his pre-Great Depression investments. This man was a lawyer and made a modest living as such. After returning from the France at the end of the Great War, he would occasionally purchase stock from his favorite brokerage firm. For nearly ten years following the war, the stock market had been on an upward slant aside from a brief downturn in 1920. But by the summer of 1929, my relative decided to liquidate his holdings. His friend and broker tried to keep him in the market; but my relative would have nothing of it. He got his cash, brought it back home and put it in his office safe and then returned to his practice of the law. Then in October of that year, the stock market crashed and the Great Depression began. Almost overnight, vast fortunes, which had been tied up in stocks, banks and many insurance companies, were lost. The world economy slowed to a crawl. Those who were once the head became the tail or worse. It was then that my relative opened his safe and realized that he had made the right decision. He had taken the accumulated wisdom of the ages and utilized it to his advantage and that of his family. While economic times were hard for his and other households, he was able to take care of his family’s needs and all because he had been discerning.

As Christians, we have a source of advice which is far better than the kind my relative had followed. Our gracious and loving God has provided us with a sort of heads-up on his plan and purpose in the ages. You will find it set forth in the Holy Bible. For within its sacred pages, God has given us things to look for, signs and wonders to behold, all for the purpose of comforting us and keeping our focus on the coming his kingdom. He has also supplied us with sound advice about how to conduct ourselves in business as well as in our living in this world.

Consider now the word of God as found in the Book of Isaiah, Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them (42:9). In the Olivet Discourse, our Lord spoke of the end of days and his coming again in glory. He did this for the same reason that God informed the children of Israel through the prophets: so that they would know and would be able to point to those signs not as simply benchmarks in time, but events which would sustain and comfort them as they reveal God’s hand within mankind’s frame of reference. Our Lord said, And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh... Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; when they now shoot forth , ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand (St. Luke 21:28-31).

I have heard people say from time to time that the prophecies of Scripture are too vague. They say it is pointless to study prophecy because there are so few specifics that such is akin to “reading tea leaves” or worse yet, “a horoscope”. They complain that people are being misled by “end-time charlatans” who are out to make a buck through their latest book of the month which takes a few headlines which seem to fit the prophecies and then smile all the way to the bank with each new addition they publish.

While it is true that there are those who have used the end-times messages of Scripture for gain, we must remember to separate the message of God from our modern-day equivalents of Simon the Sorcerer— who sought personal profit from the beneficial aspects of the Holy Ghost (Acts 8:5-25). And God will judge those whose hearts were filled with greed for gain, as well as those who kept from their readers the whole counsel of God to the detriment of the gospel and the ruination of their souls.

We know from the Scriptures that Christ will come again, and with that in mind we ought be witnessing to others regarding their salvation. As St. Paul observed in II Corinthians 6:2, (... behold, now is the day of salvation.) Almost two thousand years ago, our Lord told us to, Watch, therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come (St. Matthew 24:42). He also warned the disciples against those who would “date-set” his coming when he said, but of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only (St. Matthew 24:36). He further gave us the command to be like those wise virgins who took enough oil for their lamps so that they would be ready to serve and to celebrate the coming of the bridegroom (St. Matthew 25:1-13). God did not communicate his prophetic designs so that we would quit working in his harvest. We are to watch for the signs which he has given us that we might warn the faltering that they not waver in their faith, and also encourage the unregenerate to have faith in Christ. Our Lord promised to go and prepare a place for us. He also promised that he will come again and bring us to it. O what comfort of joy there will be in that day of our gathering together in Christ (II Thessalonians 2:1)!

Needless to say, Lucifer is ready to confound and confuse the believer at every turn. I once heard a story about a demonic conference wherein the devil asked his minions how they might keep people away from the Gospel. “One offered, ‘Tell them that the Bible has too many rules which impact mortal desires.’ The devil thought about it for a moment and replied, ‘Sounds good, but that doesn’t work very well because there are many hopeful things in the Bible and mortals also like hopeful things.’ Another suggested, ‘Tell them the Bible is full of errors so they won’t know what to believe.’ The devil responded, ‘That too is good thinking, but unfortunately the Bible has more evidences of its authenticity than Caesar’s Gallic Wars so that won’t work either.’ After a moment of silence, another offered this: ‘Tell them that the Godhead exists, and that the Bible is true, but that they have plenty of time to decide on salvation.’ ‘Bingo!’ replied the devil. ‘That’s it. When we tell them that, they will resist the Gospel thinking they are going to live a long time and that they can decide later. Just think of the numbers we can lead astray into hell! Let it be done.’”

So then let us rejoice as we watch for our Lord’s coming and observe the signs of the times as he has commanded. We have God’s prophecies in the Old Testament and we have the promises of Christ in the New Testament. And we should be actively laboring in the harvest and standing fast in our spiritual warfare against the forces of darkness so that when our Lord comes for us, we will be in accord with his will when he said, Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find [him] so doing (St. Matthew 24:46). May you likewise mark and remember.

Let us pray,

Father, grant to us the wisdom to follow those things that you have set forth within the pages of Scripture; that in so doing, our lives will be fruitful, so that at the last, we might be welcomed home as good stewards, faithful witnesses and stalwart soldiers in thy service; all these things we ask in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Have a blessed week!
Bryan+

 Rev. David McMillan
AOC Minister at Large
Alabama

We are Fortunate today to have a sermon from Rev. David McMillian.

Sunday after Ascension

 

Second Lesson Morning Prayer (Ascension)
Ephesians 4:1-16

¹I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, ²With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; ³Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. ⁴There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; ⁵One Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. ⁷But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. ⁸Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. ⁹(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? ¹⁰He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) ¹¹And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; ¹²For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: ¹³Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: ¹⁴That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; ¹⁵But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: ¹⁶From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

The Gifts we Practice at Ascension Ephesians 4

The Fact of the Ascension of our Lord is well known. Ephesians 1:20. God has raised Christ from the dead and " set Him (Christ) at His own right hand in the heavenly places....and gave Him to be head over the church....which is His body..." 

We as Christians have been "raised up and made to sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" 2:6  In chapter Ephesians 4 it says when He ascended He gave "gifts" to Christians. Some were pastors and teachers, some evangelists....to " edify the body of Christ." Note to every one of us as Christians grace is given to serve and do His Will vs. 7

This makes me think of the shiny bright car that will not start. If we are Christians and live in the Spirit we have been given faith in Christ who has ascended into heaven by God's power. Our gifts are not to be just shown but to be used. The shiny car that will not start is not any use but to look at, but it cannot get you anywhere. I would rather have an old beat up VW that actually runs than a good looking car that does not do anything.

This is what the Apostle says in ch. 4 in the beginning. "Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye were called." He then enumerates what this looks like. "With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love, endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

I like what Henri Nouwen said in the devotional this week: "As fearful people we are inclined to develop a mind-set that makes us say: “There’s not enough food for everyone, so I better be sure I save enough for myself in case of emergency,” or “There’s not enough knowledge for everyone to enjoy; so I’d better keep my knowledge to myself, so no one else will use it” or “There’s not enough love to give to everybody, so I’d better keep my friends for myself to prevent others from taking them away from me.” This is a scarcity mentality. It involves hoarding whatever we have, fearful that we won’t have enough to survive. The tragedy, however, is that what you cling to ends up rotting in your hands."

1. "With all lowliness of feeling" -Humility The Greeks did not have humility as a virtue. "Fulness of life" to most non-Christian people in any generation left no room for humility. ( Robinson in Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians , Foulkes) Christ was humble and is an example to us.

What does lowliness of feeling do for our interaction with others?

"I recently read a quote from Francis Frangipane –

I have learned that much of my spiritual progress does not come directly from God, but through my ability to humble myself and hear Him speak through imperfect people." growingmedaily.com  (that seems to go counter to our belief as Anglican reformed Christians, but it rings true if we think about it for a minute....)

The Cross on the Hill in Kerrville, TX when I was there as the pastor/priest in a 1928 Book parish has many sculptures. The one that I like is the One that is of Christ washing the disciples' feet. I was talking with Max (the actual artist and sculptor...) about this one and He said a little girl who went there said, " You can only see the face of Christ if you kneel at His feet." Powerful!  I have not forgotten that one. 

2. Meekness. This is the same word as "blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth."- gentleness Matthew 5:5- and also same Greek word. Numbers 12:3- "Now the man Moses was very meek above all the men which were upon the face of the earth." (here it is Hebrew OT obviously not Greek)

2 Timothy 2:25 is a key vs of this and says "in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to acknowledging of the truth"

" The man who is meek does not assert his own importance or authority." Ephesians by Foulkes.

"A story tells of a corporal at Valley Forge who was directing three men as they tried to lift a log into place. It was too heavy, but the corporal commanded again and again, “All right, men, one, two, three, lift!” A man in an overcoat came by and said to the corporal, ‘Why don’t you help them?” The corporal pulled himself up to full height and replied, “Sir, I am a corporal.” Without a word the man stepped over and with his help the log went easily into place. The man was George Washington.

Gentleness includes true humility that does not consider itself too good or too exalted for humble tasks. enrichmentjournal.ag"

3. Lastly as we think about Ascension and what it means practically, "with longsuffering (patience), forbearing one another in love, endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

Someone said to me the other day," you will have to wait. " I said, " that takes patience, and I preach about that!"  Whoops-got me. 

To forbear means lit. to hold up oneself against, in other words bear with or endure.

Conclusion - Christ has ascended into heaven. O Come let us Adore Him. Alleluia. This is the preface we sing before the Venite in Morning Prayer, and which I said on Friday at the parish before we sang the Venite, Psalm 95.

The Apostle has said that Christ ascended to give gifts unto His people " for the work of the ministry...(that we would) edify the body in love" Eph 4:16

This is as I said in the introduction--- doctrine with practice is not the idea, the car that does not start is not much good. The Christian who wallows only in doctrine without its practice is like that car that goes nowhere. We have been given much. Let us practice His love in doing His work in our world.  

Unfortunately, we are all very guilty in this area of Christian maturity if we are honest. We have to be first, or right instead of humble to listen to others in their anguish and sorrow.  

But each day is a new opportunity to be His body in the culture that so needs God and His love. After I graduated from seminary I had all the right answers, I thought. That was not the point. It was a good starting point but not the ending. The process of living the Christian life in this world is challenging but very rewarding if we see that instead of lording it over others , we can be a part here for those( all) who need Christ's compassion. Perhaps the old adage was correct, "Practice makes perfect."  So let us lovingly apply the applications of the Asension of our Lord. Amen.

 David D. Mc Millan+,
 Pastor, & Chaplain (Major)
 US Army, ret.  

 AOC Worldwide Prayer List –

I have received updates from a few and those will be the first added to the list. Please send all prayer requests and updates to aocworldwide@gmail.com for future reports. If you would like to be removed from list just respond with remove in the subject line.

 Prayer Needed:

Donny - hospitalized due to multiple strokes and inability to speak, pray for David and Anne, family who are helping him in recovery

Dan Fordice – pray for his family who are mourning Dan killed in a plane crash

Mike Gettinger – traveling to the Vietnam wall and family at home awaiting his return

The Fultz’s and Brocks - 10 days traveling Europe as a gift to granddaughter who is with them.

Kristen – surgery went well, continue praying for Recovery

Yves Mera: Temporal Vascular Accident – pray for services and treatment guidance- MRI – 5/21

Betty Davis: stroke, hospitalization and praying for complete recovery

Deborah Johns – heart issues – pray for heart strength & strong blood oxygen levels for surgery

Ben Hancock – treatment for colon cancer

Rev. Geordie:  needs prayer for medical issues

Debbie Grimes: colon cancer - surgery

Man, who is a friend of many – Brain Cancer

Bobby Effinger – recovery from heart surgery and ongoing heart issues

Steven – recovering from surgery on scar tissue compressing his Spinal Accessory Nerve

Brannon – hospitalized due to chronic unknow source of muscle spasms – 3 year old

Rency – 2 year old suffering from RETTS Syndrome

Joseph Broddie – recurring throat cancer

David Williams – serious cardiac issues – pray for David and wife Sherie for coping with changes

Jack Williams – had to enter long term care due to vascular dementia – pray for wife Karen

Audrey Beebe – For the Family who are mourning her passing.

Colby Landry - cancer. Please pray for his wife, Leah and their family at this time of trial.

Persecuted Christians - subject to persecution and imprisonment for their faith.

Bobby Bryan - suffering with cancer and cardiac issues.

For an increase in the true faith in Jesus Christ here and across the globe.

USA – Leaders, citizens, military, first responders – President Trump & all Cabinet Members Safety

David – needing Hip transplant

Bobby Bryan – cancer and cardiac issues

Ophelia – crippling arthritis pain

Dennis Potrikus - fall with bad knees – recovering his rehab

Donna – ongoing radiation and Chemotherapy. Pray for successful remission

Roy – Bulging disc – upcoming surgery

Michelle – metastasized lung cancer – treatment stopped due to low hemoglobin- pray increase in

Sue – Praise the Lord – she rented her house and traveling mercies to return to NC

Dave – COPD – breathing issues – getting used to using oxygen – shortness of breath

Bryan and Lisa – adjusting to son moving away from home for ease of travel to employment

 

Extended Issues need continued prayer;

Laurie with long Covid Symptoms - Extreme exhaustion, heart palpitations, breathing problems and unstable blood pressures are constant worries causing depression to settle in.

Malcom Allred – Cancer Treatment

 

Keep Praying for the following:

Shamu-health issues, Jan Jessup-neuro dementia, AOC USA, AOC Missions - Myanmar,
Harper-IBS,  Jim Sevier- God’s Peace, Linda – multiple myeloma, Donna-chemotherapy,
Alicia-caregiver, Sophie, Colin and Lori Beall – cancer, Malou – cancer, Archie- CHF,
Eloise, Janice, Katie, Bobby, Myra Cox, Faye Miller,

 Quotes to Ponder: 

Live as if you thought Christ might come at any time. Do everything as if you did it for the last time. Say everything as if you said it for the last time. Read every chapter in the Bible as if you did not know whether you would be allowed to read it again. Pray every prayer as if you felt it might be your last opportunity. Hear every sermon as if you were hearing once and for ever. This is the way to be found ready. This is the way to turn Christ’s second appearing to good account. This is the way to put on the armour of light.
The Most Rev. J. C. Ryle– (Are You Ready For The End Of Time, p. 80).

Ignorance of God overspreads the world of mankind. When multitudes to whom Christ was sent would not believe that God had sent him, the disciples knew it and believed it. To believe in Jesus Christ in the midst of a world that persists in ignorance and infidelity is highly pleasing to God, and shall be crowned with distinguished glory.
The Rev. Matthew Henry - 17th and 18th century English pastor and author.

       God’s Church is a Holy Army. It sends out missionaries and evangelists ahead of its main body just as an earthly army sends out skirmishers, pickets, and vedettes ahead of its own main line of deployment. When the enemy draws near for the decisive battle, these skirmishers, pickets, and vedettes are recalled to the main battle line. So shall it be in the days of the consummation of that Last Battle.
       It is interesting to note that the term ‘sorcerer’ can mean a marketer of mind-altering drugs in some parts of Scripture:  Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts. (Rev 9:21) The word, sorceries above in the Greek is the same from which we get the word ‘pharmacist’ – Pharmakeia. Look also in the following verse taken from the last book of the Bible - Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. (Rev 22:14-15) If you have in your hands a modern wonder of error such as the NIV, you may miss some of the point of this counsel in verse 14: "Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. “Rev 22:14 (NIV) This change is not consistent with every other truth of the Bible – it is the white and sinless Robe of Christ that covers our sins – not the effort we make in washing them ourselves. We are told in Philippians 3:2 to beware of those of the ‘concision.’ These are those who ‘mutilate’ the Word of God…..

       The Day of Battle draws ever nearer in our day. The Church of God will remain only as a remnant, but all of the forces of Satan shall be destroyed who assail it. All of the armies of Satan shall be gathered and will encircled that little enclave of God’s people. Then shall the power and might of God be demonstrated in destroying them. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. ¹⁰ And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. (Rev 20:9-10)

      There are those in our ranks who will resent my speaking so openly and forcefully of sin. The world would prefer a more gentle and polished dissertation of sinners, but God never minces words, and neither should we in addressing the sins of the day. Are you in the right Army, or that which shall be destroyed by the Arm of God. Remember: And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S. (1 Sam 17:47)

The Most Rev. Jerry L. Ogles– 20th and 21st century Anglican Orthodox Presiding Bishop 
 (excerpt taken from his commentary from the Sermon, Sunday after Ascension, 2024)