Canterbury Tales. From the Assistant to the Rector: What Does Ascension Mean? St. Thomas of Canterbury Anglican Catholic Church

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1 Canterbury Tales St. Thomas of Canterbury Anglican Catholic Church From the Assistant to the Rector: What Does Ascension Mean? In the Gospel reading for Ascension Day, we read that Christ took His disciples to a hill outside of Jerusalem. And as he was blessing them He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. (Acts 1:9) He ascended into heaven. What did Christ s ascension mean for the disciples, and what does it mean for us? In Old Testament times, one day a year called the Day of Atonement, the High Priest entered into the Holy of Holies to offer sacrifices for the sins of the people. As Christ ascended to heaven, He became the High Priest, entering into the Most Holy of Holies - heaven, having made that sacrifice for our sins. Having entered the Holy of Holies, Christ is now at the most honorable place, the right hand of God, a place from whence He now pleads our case before the Heavenly Father. ¹ By His ascension, Christ entered the true Holy of Holies. In heaven, Christ has become the veil through which we can also enter into the Holy of Holies. Was Christ s ascension necessary, and if so why? There are, in fact, three reasons for His departure. First, Christ s ascension was necessary, because His full ministry could not be fulfilled if it was limited in time and space. In other words, He could not be in several places at once as long as He was physically present here on earth; that would fall on the Holy Spirit. He could not have been mystically and sacramentally present, if He had been physically and materially present. ² Christ s ascension completed his mission here on earth, which began with His incarnation. His ascension was the climax of His physical ministry on earth, and the beginning ministry for his disciples. Christ s ascension was to empower his disciples to effectively spread His Gospel through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, which they would receive at Pentecost. It was also a signal for His followers to go forth and to preach and teach the Good news to all peoples, in all corners of the world. Second, Christ had to rise to His heavenly throne before He could reign over his earthly kingdom. In effect, the earth is God s footstool, and therefore, He could not reign from here. Third, Christ could not send the Holy Spirit until He had Himself gone away. Jesus was preparing His disciples for when He would no longer be physically present with them. This is similar to parents preparing their children for adulthood. Think of your own children; you raise them to become strong, independent, individuals, to go forth into the world to be able to handle what lies before them. If you allow them to remain at home, doing everything for them, you enable them to be so dependent upon you that they are unable to function on their own. (Continued on page 4) Volume 19, Issue 3 May/June 2015 The official publication of St. Thomas of Canterbury Anglican Catholic Church Fr. Paul Beutell Rector Fr. Don Poff Assistant to the Rector Jeff Fitzgerald Editor Contributors: Clayton and Sue Williams Laura Wilbon Got a story to tell? Remember, the Canterbury Tales is your parish newsletter and we welcome your contributions. You may either your contributions to Jeff Fitzg e r a l d (blacksox1919@cox.net) or give them to Fr. Don or Jeff at Church.

2 Page 2 Canterbury Tales Crabby Old Lady When an old woman died in the geriatric ward of a nursing home in Moosomin, Saskatchewan, it was believed that she had nothing left of any value. Later, when the nurses were going through her meager possessions, they found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital. One nurse took her copy to Alberta. The old woman's sole bequest to posterity has since appeared in the Christmas edition of the News Magazine of the St. Louis Association for Mental Health. A slide presentation has also been made based on this simple, but eloquent, poem. This little old woman, with nothing left to give to the world, is now the author of this 'anonymous' poem winging across the Internet. Crabby Old Lady What do you see nurses?.... What do you see? What are you thinking When you're looking at me? A crabby old lady Not very wise, Uncertain of habit With faraway eyes? Who dribbles her food And makes no reply. When you say in a loud voice 'I do wish you'd try!' Who seems not to notice The things that you do. And forever is losing A sock or shoe? Who, resisting or not Lets you do as you will, With bathing and feeding A long day to fill? Is that what you're thinking? Is that what you see? Then open your eyes, nurse..... You're not looking at me. I'll tell you who I am As I sit here so still, As I do at your bidding, As I eat at your will. I'm a small girl of Ten.... With a father and mother, Brothers and sisters Who love one another. A young girl of Sixteen With wings on her feet. Dreaming that soon now A lover she'll meet. A bride soon at Twenty My heart gives a leap. Remembering, the vows That I promised to keep. At Twenty-Five, now I have young of my own. Who need me to guide A secure happy home. A woman of Thirty..... My young now grown fast, Bound to each other With ties that should last. At Forty, my young sons Have grown and are gone, But my man is beside me.... To see I don't mourn. At Fifty, once more, Babies play 'round my knee, Again, we know children My husband and me. Dark days are upon me My husband's now dead. I look at the future And shudder with dread. For my young are all rearing Young of their own. And I think of the years..... And the love that I've known. I'm now an old woman..... And nature is cruel. 'Tis jest to make old age Look like a fool. The body, it crumbles Grace and vigor depart. There is now a stone..... Where I once had a heart. But inside this old carcass A young girl still dwells, And now and again My battered heart swells. I remember the joys I remember the pain. And I'm loving and living Life over again. I think of the years, all too few Gone too fast. And accept the stark fact..... That nothing can last. So open your eyes, people Open and see. Not a crabby old woman Look closer See ME!! Submitted by Clayton and Sue Williams

3 Volume 19, Issue 3 Page 3 Fr. Don s Bible Quiz 1. Where, in Scripture, do we find reference to Unction? 2.What is the central theme of Genesis 22:1-14? 3. At the offertory, what do we offer to God? Your Change Can Change Lives The Baby Bottle Campaign for the Blue Ridge Women's Center will be held from Memorial weekend (May 24) until Labor Day weekend. The baby bottles will be available in the narthex. Please take one and fill with your change. Your change can help change lives through free and confidential services for women facing unplanned pregnancies. Weekday Bible Study Returns St. Thomas Anglican Church will resume their weekday Bible Study on May 19, beginning with Evening Prayer at 5:30pm, followed by Bible study from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. We will be meeting in the Parish Hall for 14 sessions. The topic will be Gaining a better understanding of the Holy Eucharist as we study the Book of Revelation. Our class material will include Dr. Scott Hahn s book entitled The Lamb s Supper, which describes the mass as Heaven on Earth, and a study guide that accompanies the book, and the AV Bible focusing on the Book of Revelation. The cost of the book is $15.00 ;, and the cost of the study cost is $10. This material will be available before the start of the course and, again, on the first night of class. All parishioners, family and friends are invited to come and participate in our weekly discussions and study. If you have any questions, you may contact Fr. Don Poff at frdpoff@yahoo.com.

4 Page 4 Canterbury Tales What Does Ascension Mean? (Cont. from Page 1) (Continued from page 1) Christ was, therefore, pushing them out of the nest, if you will. However, He was not leaving them alone. He promised that the Comforter would come to guide and support them with His power and strength, giving them courage to continued Christ s ministry that He began during His time here. (St. John 16:7) There was going to be an incredible divine exchange: Christ would ascend and the Holy Spirit would descend. Contrary to popular belief, Christ did not soar into the wild blue yonder like a bird or plane, He passed out of time and space; He was no longer bound by the laws of physics so to speak. He did not go up to some far away bright place, for He is never far from us. Christ went up as a soldier might go up to become a general. His ascension was not just moving from earth to heaven. It was the culmination of His exaltation. (See Eph. 4:8-10; 1 Tim 3:16; S. John 20:17) In the Collect for Ascension Day, we pray that as Christ has ascended, we may ascend with Him, in heart and mind, continually to dwell with Him. How is it possible that we ascend with Christ, but at the same time we remain here in this life? St. Paul gives us the answer in Colossians 3:1, If you be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on those things above, not on things on the earth. We have been raised with Christ, at our Baptism. Therefore we are to focus on the heavenly things, not on secular things. By focusing on heaven where Christ has ascended, we keep our hearts and minds ready to receive Christ and to go into the world, to go outside the walls of our own parish so we are enabled to spread the Good News to all peoples, through our thoughts, words, and deeds. As followers of Christ, we share in the risen life of our ascended Lord and Savior. This sharing is similar to buying stock in a company; as owners of the stock, that company becomes part of your life. We, as disciples, should make Christ part of our lives in everything we do and say. Because we share this life with Christ, our lives must be joined with His life and we must now take a new direction. We possess the gift of God s grace given to us at our baptism, strengthened at our confirmation and continued in the sacrament of Holy Communion. Our solemn duty, then, is to testify to Christ s life to the world and to proclaim these things to all nations. The disciples were, and we are also, to be the evidence of His mercy and love. We are to live as an example so that others may be brought to see and love the Jesus we love. A cloud took Him from their sight (Acts 1:9b) perhaps it was the same cloud that obscured Him from view once before at His transfiguration. Christ was received into the immediate presence of God the Father. He had emerged once, so the disciples kept thinking that perhaps Jesus would emerge once again. In the Epistle reading for Ascension Day, two men standing with the disciples, after Christ s ascension, asked them, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into the heavens? A good question for it was now time for them to start them ministry. It is a good question for us to ponder; are we just staring up to heaven, or are we going forth continuing the work that Christ left His Church. As members of that One, Holy, Apostolic Church, we have a ministry and we should not be staring, but doing. As disciples of Christ, we are obligated, to focus on where our Lord and Savior is now, in Heaven. So, the answer to our earlier question, why was the ascension necessary? It was the final astounding revelation that Christ is Divine. It was where the Highest of the High Priest made us, our prayers and our offerings acceptable to God, the Father Almighty; for it is only through Jesus Christ that we can ever be acceptable to the Father. Christ is the one sitting at the right hand of God, being our advocate with the Father. ¹ Hall, Francis J., S.T.D.; Theological Outlines; Morehouse-Barlow Co.; New York; p ; , ² Moss, Claude Beaufort, D.D.; The Christian Faith; S.P.C.K., London; p. 125; 1965 ³ Ibid.

5 Volume 19, Issue 3 Page 5 The Eighth Sacrament Last Issue s Bible Quiz Answers One of the steadfast traditions of Anglicanism is that ancient, mystical ritual of Coffee Hour. We at St. Thomas celebrate this rite every Sunday after Mass, giving us a chance to socialize with our fellow parishioners and welcome newcomers. As with many Churchrelated activities, it is incumbent upon the members to make Coffee Hour happen. While the Hospitality Committee does a right admirable job of setting up, making coffee, and cleaning up afterwards, it s still up to us to provide the snacks and goodies. Having something good to eat, no matter how humble it may be, fosters fellowship and conversation. Since we have moved to a single service, some folks may feel a bit daunted by the thought of having to provide goodies for 30+ people. Indeed, it is quite a task to try to bring enough food for everyone. As a result, some folks may avoid signing up for Coffee Hour snacks. So, instead of putting the burden all on one person or family, how about we do as some parishioners have done and sign up in teams? It evens out the effort and expense, and contributes to the good Christian fellowship for which we Anglicans are known. Team up, and sign up today! IN S. LUKE 14:26, JESUS SAID, IF ANY MAN COME TO ME, AND HATE NOT HIS FATHER, AND HIS MOTHER, AND HIS WIFE, AND HIS CHILDREN, AND BRETH- REN, AND SISTERS, YEA, AND HIS OWN LIFE ALSO, HE CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE. WHAT DID JE- SUS MEAN BY THE VERB HATE IN THIS VERSE? HE DID NOT MEAN THE TERM HATE WE NORMALLY THINK OF WHEN WE HEAR THAT WORD. JESUS MEANT THAT IF WE DO NOT LOVE HIM MORE THAN ANY- THING ELSE, THEN WE COULD NOT BE HIS DISCIPLE. ALL 150 PSALMS WERE WRITTEN BY DAVID; TRUE OR FALSE? FALSE, MANY OF THE PSALMS WERE WRITTEN BY DAVID, ABOUT DAVID, OR FOR DAVID, HOWEVER, NOT ALL. THERE IS ONE, PSALM 90, THAT WAS SUPPOSEDLY WRITTEN BY MOSES. HOW MANY OF EACH SPE- CIES DID NOAH TAKE ON THE ARK? (GENESIS 7:1,2,3) NOAH WAS TO TAKE SEVEN OF EVERY KIND OF CLEAN ANIMAL, A MALE AND FEMALE; TWO OF EVERY KIND OF UNCLEAN ANI- MAL, MALE AND FEMALE; SEVEN OF EVERY KIND OF BIRD, MALE AND FEMALE. May Birthdays 11 Bill Rutherfoord 13 Fr. Don Poff 14 Candie Tomlinson 18 Elizabeth Paisley 21 Christopher Sands 22 Ted Paisley 23 Patsy Light 25 Alexandra Reed, Micah Beutell, Randy Gregg 26 Mary Sciba 29 Fr. Paul Beutell, Rylee Ellexson 31 Ashley Grace Reed June Birthdays 6 Breece Paisley 14 Cyndi Beutell 15 Cynthia Todd 17 David Urquhart 21 John Shields 22 Betsy Witt 25 Stephen Parrack Leidecker 26 June Rutherfoord

6 St. Thomas of Canterbury Anglican Catholic Church 4910 Hubert Rd. Roanoke, VA 24012