I confess that I have always dreaded preaching on the Ascension. I have always felt that something about the feast eluded me, that there was something I should understand which I clearly did not. It has seemed to me that there was some greater theological implication which I simply missed. Maybe I was out sick that day in seminary and dozed off in the sermon that day every year since.
Here is what I do know about the Ascension: forty days after His Resurrection, Jesus Christ led His disciples away from Jerusalem and gave them some final instructions. St. Luke tells us, “Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.” (Acts of the Apostles 1:9) The Apostles, awestruck, continue staring heavenward (likely because they have not thought of anything better to do quite yet) when two men in white apparel appear next to them. These “men” ask the observers, “why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” (v. 11) Ten days later, while praying in Jerusalem as they had been instructed, the Apostolic company received the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, exactly as Jesus had promised.
Still, I feel like I am missing something. It is as if there was some cloud surrounding me that prevents me from really fathoming the significance of the feast. I recognize that He was taken up into Heaven and will one day return in the same manner. I know that the Ascension prevented Him from facing corruption of old age, decay, and death, except that He already had dealt with and conquered those foes on the Cross. I know that, just as He came down from Heaven to save us, He was taken back up into Heaven to watch over us. Nevertheless, I feel like I am missing something.
Yet, in meditating on the Glorious Mysteries, I believe I came to an epiphany about the feast. My newfound understanding is this: it is alright to be confused and in the dark every now and then.
Jesus was taken up into a cloud; that cloud obscured Him from the sight of the Apostles. He was lost to them, or so they felt until Pentecost. In that capacity, we think of the cloud as a bad thing. It keeps us from being with Our Lord in the ways which we have become accustomed. We cannot see Him; we cannot touch Him. That challenges us. We do not like obscurity. We do not like the dark. We hate not being able to see. We have an almost primal fear of the dark. Children, who have never known any real reason to be afraid in their lives will wake up screaming in terror because they are alone in the dark. What is the first thing that moms and dads do when they enter those bedrooms? They turn on the lights. Darkness, fog, and clouds all inhibit us in the same way. They prevent us from using our most dominant sense, our sight. Without our sight we feel completely lost. read more…
NAIROBI, KENYA – In this distance, drums and the sound of people singing “What a friend we have in Jesus…” can be heard. The Patriarch of the ICCEC, Archbishop Craig Bates, accompanied by his wife Cathy, Bp. Bernard Njoroge and several others made the journey through the muddy and slippery streets to the CEC parish located in Nairobi’s Kibera slums.
Upon arriving at St. Michael’s Parish, the Patriarch declared, “I have come from the US to tell you that the Lord loves you.”
The parishioners gathered together in the church hall to meet their Patriarch. “I have been reading and seeing the pictures of the Patriarch online, but today, I have the opportunity to see him face to face. I am very happy.” said one of the faithful.
The Patriarch’s visit gave the parishioners much hope as they felt the love of God through the Patriarch, who committed to walk down the muddy corridors of the slums to reach out to them and celebrate the Holy Eucharist with them. read more…
It is only John, of all the apostle’s, who is at the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus.
It is John, the one who Jesus loved and called the Beloved, who was able to stand there in ministry to Mary, the Lord’s mother. From the agony of the cross, with blood pouring from ripped skin and the wounds inflicted by the nails and crown of thorns, gasping for breath, Jesus turns to Mary and John and says, “Mother behold your Son.
Son behold your Mother.”
Tradition tells us that John took care of Mary from that day forward. He took her with him to Ephesus, where he was the Bishop, and there he was with her until she departed to the throne room of God to once again behold her Son.
What was it that compelled John to be at the crucifixion while the others fled?
Why was he willing to be there with the Mother of our Lord while others abandoned her for fear of capture?
Why was John willing to risk arrest, torture, and his own crucifixion? Could it be that he was merely young, arrogant, and lacking in a sense of his own mortality like so many in their youth?
Of course any answer I would give would be pure speculation. Yet, it has become a meditation for me beginning early this morning.
I know this that our Lord calls us to be before cross. I would like to believe that I would have the courage and the boldness to be there rather than scurrying about the city trying to find a place to hide.
I would like to believe that I would have the grace to be there and gaze upon that which is the fullest revelation of the mercy and love of God.
But that too is speculation. What I know is that we are all called to come to the cross at various moments in our lives and then we must have the grace to walk by faith – to be there till we hear the words “It is finished.”
Then we know that we too will encounter resurrection new and fresh.
For this Good Friday we are blessed to understand that because, as John was to later reveal, God is love and so our cross, like our Savior and Lord’s, is not the end of the story but rather the beginning of new life.
From His side poured the sacraments of the Church so that we can receive both Him and His grace to pick up our cross, deny our self, and follow Him on the road to eternal life: Abp. Craig Bates (https://www NULL.facebook NULL.com/profile NULL.php?id=724693046)
Originally posted on Facebook
Deacon Dan garrison + Fr. John Bower
On Tuesday of Holy Week we celebrated the Service of Tenebrae, or “shadows.”
Hosted by the Church of the Holy Comforter in Stuart with both our congregation and members of Stuart Missionary Alliance Church.
The name Tenebrae which is the Latin word for darkness or shadows, has for centuries applied to the monastic night and early morning services of the last three days of Holy Week, to impress upon the hearts of believers the awful consequences of sin and the magnitude of the Savior’s sacrifice.
The service is now celebrated in many churches during Holy week. The service of Tenebrae provides an extended meditation upon, and a prelude to, the events in our Lord’s life between the Last Supper and the Resurrection.
A series of ancient Prophecies and their fulfillment are read and are followed by a hymn or praise song followed by a period of silent reflection.
The most significant feature of this service is the gradual extinguishing of the lights and the candles in the room and on the altar. The candles represent the disciples and other followers of Christ as they all gradually took to flight. The ensuing darkness symbolizes the growing resentment and hatred of the world against the Savior.
The Light of Christ
Note, however, that the Holy Spirit as symbolized by the Eternal Light, remains undiminished.
During the service it will become progressively darker, towards the end of the service there will be only a single lit candle. This too is removed, typifying the apparent victory of the forces of evil.
The single candle on hearse (a special candle holder) represents the Savior himself. It is removed from the hearse to symbolize the death of Jesus. This candle is removed from sight (“A little while and you will not see me”). After Psalm 51 is read by the lectors, a time of silence is observed in total darkness. At the very end a loud noise, (strepitus), is made, symbolizing the closing of the tomb and earthquake at the time of the resurrection.
The hidden candle is returned to its place on the hearse. Upon completion of the service, the congregation, after a period of reflection, leaves silently, maintaining the spirit of worship befitting this solemn evening.
Easter Message 2012
As I write this it is Tuesday of Holy Week. It is one day before we at Intercessor begin the special liturgies of Holy Week culminating in the Great Feast of the Resurrection. It has been said many times that the events we recall this Holy Week are the central aspects of the Christian faith. Without the cross and the resurrection there is in fact no Christianity. But more importantly the historic and factual crucifixion and resurrection are the key events of all of human history. It is the moment in time when God has brought all of creation unto himself. It is the fullest and complete revelation of the love, mercy, and forgiveness of God.
Several years ago, after many years of longing, I traveled to Krakow, Poland to visit the tomb of St. Stanislaw of Szczepanowski the patron Saint of Krakow. St. Stanislaw was Bishop of Krakow in the early eleventh century. He was known for preaching, spiritual wisdom, and as a leader in reforming efforts in the Church. He eventually incurred the enmity of King Bolesluas the Bold and denounced the King for cruelties and injustice. Eventually St. Stanislaw excommunicated the King and stopped a Mass in the chapel when the King entered. Boleslaus himself killed St. Stanislaw while the Bishop was saying Mass in a chapel outside the city on April 11, 1079.
Not growing up Roman Catholic, I had little knowledge of this famous saint and my interest grew in him after reading a biography of John Paul II. As many know John Paul II came to the papacy from his episcopate in Krakow. The early life of John Paul II is fascinating. Like many great men of God he was one familiar with human suffering, his own and that of others. He grew up under the Nazi regime and then served in the Church of Poland at the time of communist reign. His words of faith and hope in the Risen Christ inspired many who led the non-violent overthrow of communism in Poland. The life of St. Stanislaw had a tremendous influence on John Paul II and on the lives of many in the resistance movement to both Nazism and Communism. It was these experiences and John Paul’s faith in the Risen Christ to proclaim over and over again to the people – Be not afraid.
Of course all of must recognize the great spiritual, theological and social leadership of John Paul II. He leadership is especially important to many in the Pro Life movement. Not only did he remain steadfast in his opposition to abortion but also was a voice for the sanctity of the family. His work “The Theology of the Body” will perhaps be recorded as one of the best theological works of the 20th century. John Paul II will be remembered as one of the great spiritual leaders of the century. And, we can expect that Rome will canonize this great man from Krakow. read more…
Bishop's Council March 2012
The Sun rises over the Bishop's Council
The Bishops Council met on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week at the Chapel of Divine Mercy, DeLand, Florida.
Many of the Clergy of the Diocese gathered for dinner last evening prior to the Lenten Retreat. The Lenten retreat begins this morning until Saturday. The focus this year: “Fresh Oil, Fresh Fire: Seeking Personal Revival. Archbishop Charles Jones is the guest speaker.
Pictured: Fr. Jim Nilon, Fr.Davis Paysinger, Bishop David Simpson, & Diocesan Treasurer Fr. Herb Purick. Photos: Bishop’s Council Member Fr. Drew Wales
House of Bishop's
ORLANDO, FL – The Charismatic Episcopal Church of North American House of Bishops met from March 6-8 at the Cathedral of Saint Dismiss in Orlando, Florida. The CEC Military Chaplains joined the House of Bishops meeting on March 8th and held their clergy conference on March 9th. The meetings began each day with the celebration of the Eucharist. Fr. James House delivered the homily each day, encouraging those present in their ministry within the CEC.
The Bishops in attendance were : Archbishop Craig Bates, Archbishop Charles Jones, Bp Eugene Lily, Bp. Michael Davidson, Bp. Doug Kessler, Bp. David Epps, Bp. David Simpson & Bp. Gregory Ortiz. Fr. James House and Fr. Chris Keough also attended the meetings.
The House of Bishops discussed and passed the following statement with respect to Israel and the Jewish people:
We, the Bishops of the CEC-NA call upon the people of God to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6)
We affirm God’s special love for Israel and the Jewish people as his chosen people.
We denounce the evil of anti-semitism.
We affirm the right of Israel to exist as a sovereign people and nation.
We affirm that the Federal Government of the USA should stand firmly for Israel and against all attempts to destroy them as a sovereign nation.
We affirm that Jesus Christ is the Messiah as prophesied in the Old Testament, and proclaim with the apostle Paul that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God for salvation to the Jew first and then to the Gentile (Romans 1:16)
Archbishop Bates discussed the ministry of CEC for life and again reiterated that the CEC is a pro-life denomination, not simply a denomination with a pro-life ministry. Fr Terry Gensemer, director of CEC for Life, was unable to attend the HOB due to an injury; prayers were offered for his recovery. A report of offerings to CEC for Life was given including the total offering collected, the number of churches participating in the offering and the clergy and churches who became members for 2012. Abp Bates asked all the Bishops to help all the people of the CEC to see the connection between life, the Gospel and the Eucharist.
Archbishop Bates asked that the Bishops emphasize the need to send articles in for CEChome.com so that the entire denomination can share in the good things happening throughout the church.
Bishop David Epps was appointed as pastoral leader of the Military Chaplains. Bishop Epps’ leadership and experience in chaplaincy will bring a new and critically important energy to the CEC Military chaplains.
BIshop David Epps
Bishop David Epps, Sharpsburg, has been appointed by Archbishop Craig Bates of New York to provide Episcopal and pastoral oversight to the military chaplains of the United States Armed Forces.
Bishop Epps was led to a “personal awareness of my covenant relationship with God” by a United States Navy chaplain assigned to serve the Marines with whom Epps was serving. “I seriously thought I was going to be a Navy chaplain when I finished my enlistment and entered college but, apparently, God had other plans.” Epps went on to serve four years in the ministry of the United Methodist Church prior to entering the Assemblies of God where he served for nineteen years. In 1996, he began ministry as a priest in the Charismatic Episcopal Church and founded what is now the Cathedral of Christ the King in Sharpsburg, GA.
He served for ten years as the Canon to the Ordinary for Bishop John Holloway and was the chair for the Commission on Ordained Ministry in the Diocese of the Mid-South. He also served Archbishop Douglas Woodall as his Canon to the Ordinary for State Guard Affairs. In 2007, Epps was consecrated a bishop and served as an auxiliary bishop to Archbishop Charles Jones with assignment to the Diocese of the Mid-South. In 2008, he was installed as the Bishop Ordinary of that diocese.
In addition to his enlistment in the U. S. Marine Corps, Epps served a brief enlistment in the Tennessee Army National Guard. Later, he was commissioned as a chaplain (captain) with the Georgia Defense Force, an auxiliary of the Georgia Army National Guard. read more…
Although he is the patron saint of Ireland, Patrick was not a native of that country: he was born in Scotland and 385. When he was just 14, he was captured and taken to Ireland, where he was enslaved. During this time of trial, he turned to God for comfort and strength; he will pray each morning, and he felt no sadness. After Patrick had been in Ireland for six years, God came to him in a dream and told him to go home. Patrick escaped and was reunited with his family, but he still heard the Irish calling him in dreams. Patrick entered the priesthood and eventually became a bishop; after many years of doing great work in Rome, Patrick was sent to Ireland spread the message to spread the message of the gospel because he was able to speak Celtic, and so was able to communicate with the Irish.
Patrick’s mission wasn’t an easy one druidism (an ancient Celtic religion) was widely 
practiced in Ireland and many Druids would rather have killed Patrick then convert; he and his followers were imprisoned and sentenced to death many times. But Patrick’s faith in God was strong, and he knew he could keep going, “spreading God’s name everywhere with confidence and without fear.” Patrick preached all over Ireland, using a shamrock to explain the Trinity and converting thousands with his quiet unassuming manner and gentle way of speaking. As a man of God, Patrick was known for his humility and disinterest in material wealth. He wouldn’t accept gifts from admirers, and often retreated in quiet prayer. By the time he died in 461, Patrick and converted virtually all of Ireland to Christianity, and he is a reminder that God speaks to us through His servants.
I bind to myself God’s power to guide me, God’s might to uphold me, God’s wisdom to teach me, God’s I do watch over me, God is here to hear me, God’s word to give me speech, God’s hand to guide me, God’s way to lie before me, God’s shield to shelter me, God supposed to secure me… against the snares of demons, against the seductions of vices, against the loss of nation, against everyone who meditates injury to me, whether far or near, few or many. From Patrick’s Lorica .
Only two popes, Leo the first and Gregory the first, have been given the popular title of “the Great.” Both served in the difficult times of the barbarian invasions of Italy. Gregory also knew the horrors of “plague, and pestilence and famine.” He was born of a patrician family about 540, and became Prefect of Rome in 573. Shortly thereafter he retired to a monastic life in a community which he founded in his ancestral home on the Coelian Hill. Pope Pelagius the second made him ambassador to Constantinople in 579, where he learned much about the larger affairs of the Church. Not long after his return home, Pope Pelagius died of the plague, and in 590 Gregory was elected as his successor.
Gregory’s pontificate was one of strenuous activity. He organized the defense of Rome against the attacks of the Lombards, and said its populace from Papal granaries in Sicily. In this as in other matters, he administered “the patrimony of St. Peter” with energy and efficiency. His ordering of the church’s liturgy and chant has molded the spirituality of the Western Church until the present day. Though unoriginal in theology, his writings provided succeeding generations with basic texts, especially the Pastoral Care now, a classic on the work of the ministry.
In the midst of all his cares and duties, Gregory prepared and fostered the evangelizing mission to the Anglo-Saxons under Augustine and other monks from his own monastery. The Venerable Bede justly called Gregory the apostle of the English.
Gregory died on March 12, 604, and was buried in St. Peter’s Basilica.
His life was a true witness to the title he assumed for his office: “Servant of the servants of God.”
“Almighty and merciful God, you raised up Gregory of Rome to be a servant of the servants of God, and inspired him to send missionaries to preach the gospel to the English people: preserve in your church the Catholic and apostolic faith they talked that your people, being fruitful in every good work, may receive the crown of glory that never fades away: through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.” Amen
