ASK
The mood of Eastertide changes after Ascension. It becomes quieter and more reflective as the disciples come to terms with Jesus returning to the Father, and await the coming of the Holy Spirit.
It’s still a time of rejoicing in the resurrection. It’s also a time of waiting and hoping, and both of those carry a certain amount of uncertainty with them. As St Paul tells us, we only hope for what we don’t have.
As the disciples waiting this time Jesus encourages them to be bold in acknowledging their needs. He says to them:
“I tell you most solemnly, anything you ask for from the Father he will grant in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and so your joy will be complete.”
So today my Eastertide word is ASK. On one level that seems very straightforward, Jesus tells his disciples, and us, that if we ask it in his name, we will receive what we need. It becomes more challenging when we begin to think about our attitudes to asking.
We live in times that greatly value independence. We are supposed to be able to support ourselves entirely independently. There is an expectation we will be able to meet our needs ourselves without help or support from anyone else. This makes it very hard for us to be vulnerable, to admit that we have needs that we can’t meet ourselves.
Once again Jesus points us in a different direction. In this time between Ascension and Pentecost he invites and challenges us to become vulnerable and humble in admitting our neediness in God’s presence.
Where is the risen Christ inviting you to ask for what you need this Eastertide?