Ascension of the Lord

The first gospel option, the opening of Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer, prepares the disciples, (and the future church) for his departure.

Jesus prays for his disciples, that they would “know” God–not in a bare intellectual way, but as intimates.

He also famously prays “that they may be one” in verse 11. This verse is used too often as a sentimental call to fellow-feeling or cooperation between jurisdictions. But Jesus compares this unity to that enjoyed by the Trinity. The full and visible unity of the church is in view.

This unity is echoed in Peter’s instructions in the second lesson. Peter the chief apostle and symbol of the church’s unity, steels his brothers for the trial of suffering before them. In 5:10-11 he locates the source of diverse gifts in God himself. In the end, the church’s unity is its intimacy with God.