SIXTH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER
(Exaudi)
Readings:
Key Verses (using the World English Bible):
1 Pet. 4:11a: “If anyone speaks, let it be as it were the very words of God. If anyone serves, let it be as of the strength which God supplies…”
John 15:26: Jesus said to his disciples, “When the Counselor has come… the Spirit of truth… he will testify about me.”
Reflection
I grew up associating the word “novena” with death. It sounds a little morbid, yes, but let me explain to those of you who may not have grown up Roman Catholic. When someone in the family, or a family friend, dies, it is Catholic tradition to gather with the mourners and pray (usually the Rosary) for nine days. Similar traditions exist in different religions—for example, “sitting Shiva”, seven days, in Judaism. And I understand that other Christians, like Anglican, Lutheran, and Orthodox also observe novena prayers. As I matured, I learned that “novenas” were not just for the departed; there were some devoted to the Holy Spirit, or to a particular saint. Indeed, occasions abound for the practice of a novena.
The original novena, however, is the one we’re currently in. Last Thursday, we celebrated the Ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven. Next Sunday, we will celebrate Pentecost, the descent of the Holy Spirit. According to the Bible, the nine days in between were spent “steadfastly in prayer and supplication”, and “continually in the temple, praising and blessing God.” The tone is one of devotion, reflection, and anticipation, even in the face of an unknown future, a sure example for all those looking to incorporate the discipline of prayer into their lives.
Lately, I find that I have lapsed from my prayer routine. It was my custom to recite Morning Prayer to myself on my subway ride to work, and Evening Prayer on the way back if I had the energy. But for about the last month now, I find that I haven’t had the energy for various reasons. For starters, I don’t know if I’ve seen the fruits of my prayer. And, yes, I know that the point of prayer is not to get something in return; it’s a selfless act that’s meant to change you from within. But lately I haven’t felt that change. Sometimes I fear that I really am a product of my time, of a generation that expects instant results that can be measured. Sometimes I fear that my prayer is just getting lost in the void. Sometimes I just fear.
So when I read about the original nine days of prayer, I can’t help but feel a little guilty. The disciples prayed the most when their Lord wasn’t actually with them in person; when they didn’t know if they would ever see him again; when they weren’t sure when (or even if?) his promises would be fulfilled, or when they couldn’t know what a future without him would hold. What did they pray for? We know of at least one of their prayers, when they prayed to know who should replace Judas Iscariot. My pious imagination fills in the eight remaining days with prayers that can probably still be found in a Jewish prayer book (the Siddur). But deep down, I know it couldn’t have been that simple—not with the roller-coaster ride of the past 40 or so days: losing Jesus on a cross, getting him back, only to lose him again at his Ascension. Their prayers were no doubt filled with tears, fear, and worry—the words, lost to us; but the emotions so easily recognizable.
There still is such a thing as “steadfast” or “continual” prayer. Known as “perpetual prayer”, many churches and organizations, like the Jerusalem House of Prayer, and the International House of Prayer, commit to the practice of praying 24/7. Smartphone apps like “Instapray” (which I need to start using again) also follow this model; people may ‘pray’ with you in the app, and prayers are reposted on Twitter. In addition, there’s the individual practice of the “Jesus Prayer”, in which the simple prayer is synchronized to the rhythm of one’s breath. I find great comfort in the idea of perpetual prayer because it reminds me that, in times when I don’t have the energy to pray, someone out there is praying for me. In these nine days, I pray that I may soon find again the strength and focus to return the favor.
Prayer of the Day
O God, the King of glory,
you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ
with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven.
We pray you, do not leave us comfortless,
but send us your Holy Spirit to comfort and strengthen us,
and exalt us to the same place
where Christ our Savior has gone before;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
—Collect for the Sunday after the Ascension, Book of Common Prayer, 1662 and 1979
Grant, we pray, Almighty God,
that, as we believe your only-begotten Son
our Lord Jesus Christ
to have ascended into heaven,
so we may also in heart and mind there ascend,
and with him continually dwell;
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
—Collect #2 for Ascension Day, Book of Common Prayer (1979)
Hymn: “Come, Holy Spirit, by whose breath”
(Words: attributed to Rabanus Maurus, 776-856, paraphrase of ‘Veni Creator Spiritus; translated to English by John Webster Grant, 1919-; adapted by Joseph A. Soltero, 2015
Tune: ‘Komm Gott Schöpfer’, from the 9th century Latin ‘Veni Creator Spiritus’, melody found in Eyn Enchiridion, 1524)
Come, Holy Spirit, by whose breath
Life rises vibrant out of death.
Come to create, renew, inspire;
Come, kindle in our hearts your fire.
You are the seeker’s sure resource,
Of burning love the living force,
Protector in the midst of strife,
The Giver and the Lord of life.
In you God’s energy is shown;
To us your varied gifts make known.
Teach us to speak, teach us to hear;
Yours is the tongue and yours the ear.
Flood our dull senses with your light.
In mutual love our hearts unite.
Your pow’r the whole creation fills.
Confirm our weak, uncertain wills.
From inner strife grant us release.
Turn nations to the ways of peace.
To fuller life your people bring,
That as one body we may sing.
Praise to the Father and the Son,
Praise to the Spirit, Three-in-One,
To whom all honor, glory be
Both now and through eternity.
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