From: "Fr John W Fenton (by way of Rev. Eric J. Stefanski, )" To: Subject: HP: Exaudi Notes Date: Thursday, November 01, 2001 12:55 PM My apologies to all those on this list. I was in StL Sunday through Tuesday, and so was not able to compose my notes until today. I hope these few thoughts suffice. Liturgical Considerations 1. The Mass/Divine Service ìExaudi, Domineî is properly known as the Sunday within the Octave of the Ascension. The First and Second Alleluias, the use of the Ascension proper preface, and the proper Offertorium all remind us we are within Ascensiontide. Therefore, it is not inappropriate to reference the Ascension of Our Lord in more than a passing manner, and quite fitting to use Ascension hymns on this day. Finally, rubrics unique to Ascension are used, most particularly the fact that the Paschal Candle is not lit on this Sunday or any day after Ascension Day (except, of course, if there is a baptism). 2. The time between Ascension and Pentecost is a time of patient yet anticipatory waiting. The disciples must await with patience the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It is not unlike the 40 days of Noah in the ark, who patiently anticipated the receding of the waters which was announced by the olive-branch-bearing dove. For us, Ascensiontide is a picture of our life lived in the Holy Mass/Divine Service. Like the disciples, in word and prayer we patiently anticipate the heavenly gift of communion in God which the Spirit gives in the Eucharist. 3. If there is a theme to the Exaudi Mass/Service, it is faithful patience in word and prayer. ìSeek my faceî (Introit) clearly refers to faith and prayer, as does ìdevout will toward Youî (Collect). Peter is more explicit when he says, ìBe serious and watchful in your prayersî (Epistle). 4. The Gospel, however, forces us to face those things which may try our patience and cause us to lose heart. This reminds us, then, that patient anticipation in word and prayer is not pious undisturbed meditation, but is a time of temptation and trial both from without (ìthese things they will do to youî) and within (ìyou should not be made to stumbleî). 5. Another view: The Holy Church waits expectantly and eagerly for the Lord to come again just as the disciples saw Him go at His ascension. But she does not wait passively. Instead, the Church waits both seeking the Lordís face in prayer (Introit) and with the fervent love for each other that shows itself in a generous care-giving (Epistle). Therefore, the Faithful pray that they always have a devout will towards God and pure-hearted service (Collect). Because of this, however, they will suffer adversity. Yet they are not without the comfort of their God. For the Spirit of Truth comforts the Church in the faithful remembrance of our Lordís Word and Supper (Gospel). Textual Considerations + At that time Jesus said to His disciples: ìWhen the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning. These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them.î 1. The key comfort of this pericope is that the Paraclete bears the Truth (Christ). As such, the Spirit bears witness of Jesusówhich is more than ìtruth-tellingî or ìevidence-giving.î The witness He bears both teaches/preaches all that Christ says and brings Christ to your remembrance (cf. Jn 14.26 in Pentecost Gospel). In other words, the Spirit does more than point or testifyóHe dispenses Christ Himself. This is the Spiritís preaching. Yet to preach, He uses preachers. Hence, ìyou will also bear witness of Me.î Not apart from or in addition to the Spirit, but because He has borne witness within you. So the Spirit ìnot only witnesses secretly within the heart, but also outwardly and publicly through the mouth and through the words of the apostles and all preachers who proclaim the true, pure gospel of Christ.î (Luther, Klug II.148-9) 2. Of course, wherever this witness of the Spirit goes onówhether secretly or publiclyóthere will be persecution, distress, trial and afflictionóboth secretly and publicly. Yet when that happens (ìwhen the time comesî), then there is the Spirit again calling to your remembrance all that Christ has said. 3. ìAll that Christ has saidî refers not simply to Jesus-logion. In its broader context, it also refers to all that Christ has given. How is that pulled from this text? By the little word ìremember.î To remember Christ is not simply to recall some stories or long-ago history events. True remembrance is remembrance in faith. Hence, Christ is remembered when faith takes Him at His Word, and runs to wherever He offers Himself. Or, to say it another way, Christ is truly remembered when His promise, mercy, grace and kindness is welcomed and received as the only help in time of need. 4. One cannot hear ìrememberî without hearing also these words from Luther: Now if you want to engage in a marvelous, great worship of God and honor Christís passion rightly, then remember and participate in the sacrament; in it, as you hear, there is a remembrance of him, that is, he is praised and glorified. If you practice or assist in practicing this same remembrance with diligence, then you will assuredly forget about the self-chosen forms of worship, for, as has been said, you cannot praise and thank God too often or too much for his grace revealed in Christ. (ìAdmonition Concerning the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Our Lord,î AE 38.106.) 5. Although NKJV et al. suggest two different words (testify, bear witness), marturew is used in both 15.26 & 15.27. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Rev. Fr. John W. Fenton, S.T.M. Zion Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Detroit 4305 N. Military Ave. Detroit, MI 48210-2451 Voice: 313.894.7450 Email: zion@flash.net ZIONNEWS-subscribe@yahoogroups.com Web: www.flash.net/~zion ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + Historic Preaching + The Historic Preaching list is devoted to preaching on the Propers of the Historic Lectionary as found in The Lutheran Hymnal (TLH) and Service Book and Hymnal (SBH). Subscribe? Send ANY message to: Unsubscribe? Send ANY message to: Respond? Click 'Reply' or write to For further information about this list, contact the list administrator at: Rev. Fr. Eric J. Stefanski or visit our website: + + + + + +