Jesus said to his disciples:
“Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer
and rise from the dead on the third day
and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins,
would be preached in his name
to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.
You are witnesses of these things.
And behold I am sending the promise of my Father upon you;
but stay in the city
until you are clothed with power from on high.”
Then he led them out as far as Bethany,
raised his hands, and blessed them.
As he blessed them he parted from them
and was taken up to heaven.
They did him homage
and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy,
and they were continually in the temple praising God.
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Praise be to you, Lord Jesus Christ. And give us the strength to follow You in this, our time of need.
Amen
Today ❤️
How beautiful
If this nation would emulate the pilgrims and turn back to God Out Nation would be healed. The problem is man’s heart is evil and only thinks on self. With God all things are possible.
President Trump won’t save US, only Jesus will. I am only speaking to Christians only.
We are strong in the Lord and the power of His might.
Lord grant us the courage of our convictions.
Ending child sacrifice seems like a good place to start. And Archbishop Cordileone’s attempt to save Nancy’s wretched soul is a good first step.
Assuming God’s promises are universal in application and not for specific situations, then the “solution” to our current predicament is found in 2 Chron 7:14. Tailoring to the US: If we the people who are called by His Name, will humble ourselves and pray, seek His Face, and repent of our wicked ways…then God will
1) hear our prayer
2) forgive our sin
3) restore our land
It’s a promise from Almighty God. Our corruption is too great for us to fix. This is the LORD’s battle if we will humbly seek His intervention.
Indeed – this is the only way. Do nothing or God forbid, turn further away, and the promise Isiah 65:12 will surely fulfill itself. “I shall number you for the sword and all of you shall be destroyed in slaughter, because I called and you did not answer, and I have spoken and you have not heard, and you did what is evil before me, and you have chosen what I do not wish.” – time to choose.
For The Ascension – which belongs on a Thursday, 40 days after the Resurrection – allow me to offer to you one of the most powerful versions of the Te Deum ever composed, the one by Anton Bruckner.
“On his copy of the score, Gustav Mahler crossed out “für Chor, Soli und Orchester, Orgel ad libitum” (for choir, solos and orchestra, organ ad libitum) and wrote “für Engelzungen, Gottsucher, gequälte Herzen und im Feuer gereinigte Seelen!” (for the tongues of angels, seekers of God, chastened hearts, and souls purified in the fire!).
Text:
Te Deum laudámus: te Dominum confitémur.
Te ætérnum Patrem omnis terra venerátur.
Tibi omnes Angeli; tibi cæli et univérsae potestátes.
Tibi Chérubim et Séraphim incessábili voce proclámant:
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dóminus Deus Sábaoth.
Pleni sunt cæli et terra majestátis glóriæ tuæ.
Te gloriósus Apostolórum chorus;
Te Prophetárum laudábilis númerus;
Te Mártyrum candidátus laudat exércitus.
Te per orbem terrárum sancta confitétur Ecclésia:
Patrem imménsæ majestátis;
Venerándum tuum verum et únicum Fílium;
Sanctum quoque Paráclitum Spíritum.
Tu Rex glóriæ, Christe.
Tu Patris sempitérnus es Fílius.
Tu ad liberándum susceptúrus hóminem, non horruísti Vírginis úterum.
Tu, devícto mortis acúleo,
aperuísti credéntibus regna cælórum.
Tu ad déxteram Dei sedes, in glória Patris.
Judex créderis esse ventúrus.
Te ergo quǽsumus, tuis fámulis súbveni,
quos pretióso sánguine redemísti.
Ætérna fac cum sanctis tuis in glória numerári.
Salvum fac pópulum tuum, Dómine, et bénedic hæreditáti tuæ.
Et rege eos, et extólle illos usque in ætérnum.
Per síngulos dies benedícimus te.
Et laudámus nomen tuum in sǽculum, et in sǽculum sǽculi.
Dignáre, Dómine, die isto sine peccáto nos custodíre.
Miserére nostri, Dómine, miserére nostri.
Fiat misericórdia tua, Dómine, super nos, quemádmodum sperávimus in te.
In te, Dómine, sperávi: non confúndar in ætérnum.
We praise thee, O God : we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
All the earth doth worship thee : the Father everlasting.
To thee all Angels cry aloud : the Heavens, and all the Powers therein.
To thee Cherubin and Seraphin : continually do cry,
Holy, Holy, Holy : Lord God of Sabaoth;
Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty : of thy glory.
The glorious company of the Apostles : praise thee.
The goodly fellowship of the Prophets : praise thee.
The noble army of Martyrs : praise thee.
The holy Church throughout all the world : doth acknowledge thee;
The Father : of an infinite Majesty;
Thine honourable, true : and only Son;
Also the Holy Ghost : the Comforter.
Thou art the King of Glory : O Christ.
Thou art the everlasting Son : of the Father.
When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man : thou didst not abhor the Virgin’s womb.
When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death :
thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers.
Thou sittest at the right hand of God : in the glory of the Father.
We believe that thou shalt come : to be our Judge.
We therefore pray thee, help thy servants :
whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.
Make them to be numbered with thy Saints : in glory everlasting.
O Lord, save thy people : and bless thine heritage.
Govern them : and lift them up for ever.
Day by day : we magnify thee;
And we worship thy Name : ever world without end.
Vouchsafe, O Lord : to keep us this day without sin.
O Lord, have mercy upon us : have mercy upon us.
O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us : as our trust is in thee.
O Lord, in thee have I trusted : let me never be confounded.
Beautiful music!
I agree The Feast of the Ascension should be celebrated today, and not on Sunday.
Another version of Te Deum by John Rutter. It’s my favorite.
Thank-you!!
You are quite welcome!
The nine symphonies of Anton Bruckner are not to be missed: I saw the score of the Seventh Symphony 60 years ago or so , when I was in the 7th Grade, and thought: “I absolutely MUST listen to this!”
Fortunately, the library had a brand-new stereo recording of it from Germany: I took it home, listened to it, and have been addicted ever since to Bruckner’s works! 😉
“For The Ascension – which belongs on a Thursday, 40 days after the Resurrection…”
Point of information:
The word has its roots in the Greek word “pentecoste,”which means “50th day.”
No, “Ascension” comes from Latin “ascendo” = to ascend. 😉
Yes, “Pentecost” is indeed from ancient Greek for 50th day, i.e. 10 days after the Ascension, the 40th day after Easter.
Pentecost corresponds with the Hebrew Feast of Weeks, 50 days after the Feast of Firstfruits (Easter).
and I pray Blessings on you, Menagerie for you and your family and the endeavors you undertake.
Thank you Lord!
The word of the Lord. Amen
A promise made, a promise kept.
See now the reason why it was expedient, not only for the apostles and disciples, but also for us, that he ascended, because no one would have cared about heaven, but rather, where [on earth] Christ would have been.
St. Vincent Ferrer
And he sent us his Holy Spirit that dwells within us.
That way he is closer and more intimate with in us than he could be staying here on earth.
2 chronicles 7-14 14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.Psalm 68 v 1-3 Let God arise,
Let His enemies be scattered;
Let those also who hate Him flee before Him.
2
As smoke is driven away,
So drive them away;
As wax melts before the fire,
So let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
3
But let the righteous be glad;
Let them rejoice before God;
Yes, let them rejoice exceedingly.
“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Romans 8:31 🎚
All praise and glory to the Lord, our one true God.
Thanks and blessings to you Menagerie for your gifts to us.
Thanks, I needed that…
Now is the time to walk fearlessly with God. Ignore all the earthly distractions that will separate you from your Creator.
God bless all of you and God bless this site; I am so grateful for a small corner of the ‘net where we can discuss things from a Christian mindset.
Thank you for your faithfulness Menagerie.
The irony of the situation in our world is that the US does not have Ascension Day as a holiday. This despite a large number that recognize the Apostles Creed as the summary statement of Christian belief and possibly half of them will use it to confess their faith. Germany, however, which is not particularly Christian has this day as a public holiday. The US has various other holidays including Martin Luther King Jr Day which does not celebrate a single key event in the life of Jesus.
The USA has most of it’s holidays as well as priorities all messed up. Jesus is not coming to save us. He ALREADY DID. When He returns it is to hand out Rewards to the faithful and Destroy the wicked.
The Final Judgement.
There are protestant churches in the U.S. that commemorate Pentecost.
The Christian holiday of Pentecost is celebrated on the 50th day from Easter Sunday. It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ while they were in Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of Weeks, as described in the Acts of the Apostles.
There are three days that Christians should celebrate – even if their government does not recognize these as public holidays:
• Christmas to celebrate the birth of Jesus
• Good Friday to celebrate the death of Jesus on Calvary
• Ascension to celebrate Jesus being taken up to heaven with his promise to return.
All who love Jesus Christ should gladly meet with fellow believers to worship not only on Sunday, the day of the resurrection, but also on these three days.
I would add Epiphany and Whitsunday to your list.
The word became flesh, study to show thyself approved.
2 Timothy 4:1-7 The more you know the more you understand.
The whole world is in the power of the wicked one and he’s whittling us down to the bone. I remember the days when we would consider what the great apostasy might be like. Now I know.
The Bible teaches us that the closer the Apocalypse or unveiling (old testament prophecy particularly Daniel, Ezekiel, Amos, Isaiah and of course Revelation) for a believer, someone who works the word with a fundamental understanding of biblical principles the clearer the meaning of events, the curtain goes up. For an unbeliever the darker the more confusing events become, the curtain goes down. To God only Glory through Jesus Christ forever amen.
Maranatha
John 17:17-22
Thank you Lord Jesus
The more you study the more you know the more comfort you will find in these distressing times.
Every day now I get up and remind my worried self
“ Let not your heart be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I WILL COME BACK and TAKE YOU TO BE WITH ME( to receive you unto myself) that you also may be where I am.
You know the way to the place I am going.
(John 14:1-4
I Am the way
The truth
and the life
I AM the resurrection!!!
Its not an event it’s a person!!!
Todays news is as frightening as a reading of Revelation But God’s Word is my only comfort.
Just finished “Revealing Revelation ” by Tsarfati .
It’s just out and even Walmart, Target and Hobby lobby are carrying it.
When our daughter and son-in-law lived in a small rural town in Germany, they experienced Ascension Day celebrations. There was a procession of people wearing traditional dress, music, and bouquets of flowers.
I’ve not seen it celebrated like that in the US.
I have NEVER seen it celebrated in the US.
Some areas of the USA with a high Germanic population celebrated the Feast of the Holy Ascension in the same manner a hundred or more years ago.
Thank you, Menagerie, for this reminder of the grace and goodness of our Savior Jesus Christ at a time when we need it most.
Great day of pilgrims hiking through Switzerland right by our house today en route to the great Cathedral of Einsiedeln, wihich is part of the Way of St. James, leading to Santiago de Compestela in Spain. Ascension Thursday brings hundreds of pilgrims through our village — young and old, all backgrounds and nationalities. It’s lovely weather, too. So joyous!
Thank you, Menagerie! So perfect. Amen.
Thank You, Jesus!
thank you!
” And behold I am sending the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with the power from on high”.
Is this “power” the gift through grace of the Holy Spirit to the gentiles?
And the Jews alike. Anyone who Truly believes that Christ lives, died and was raised for our sakes.
I was under the impression that the Jewish peoples were GODs chosen people and the gentiles were only able to be saved by grace from Jesus’s observation that they were also worthy of salvation because of their belief and following of him.
“Master do not even the dogs get the scraps that fall from the table”?
Hope this helps.
“There’s’ neither Jew nor Greek(Gentile), bond nor free, there’s neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” GAL 3:28
But was it this way from the beginning?
If you’re referring to the Old Testament…there was no Holy Spirit on earth at that time….it was all about the covenant God made with Moses and The Law aka Mosaic Law. If the moderators allow it…I posted a link below to an informative article about it. Everything changed after Jesus was born. Salvation was available then to both Jew and Gentile. The Law no longer was relevant even though the Pharisees tried to make it so. That’s where Jesus, his disciples and followers faced prosecution and death.
https://www.gotquestions.org/Mosaic-Law.html
So the ” Power from on High” was the gift of the Holly Spirit?
That was my original question, Jews or Gentiles aside.
Yes!
TY, rvs.
In Daniel 9: 25-26, the angel Gabriel tells Daniel that the Messiah will arrive 69 weeks of years from the day that Israel was told to rebuild the city of Jerusalem (in the Bible, a year is 360 days). The Bible records the day the order to rebuild the city (“with streets and a trench”), but the promise was ignored. Because of this, Luke 19:41-42 records Jesus as saying that because the Jews failed to recognize Him in “this thy day” (He had to arrange for His own entry), His arrival as the Messiah would then be hidden from them. This blindness was to remain until, Luke 21:24, “the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.” Zechariah (among others) delineates the occasion when the Jewish people ultimately recognize that the Messiah previously arrived and was not recognized.
On next Thursday, the Feast of the Holy Ascension of Our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ will be celebrated in the Orthodox Christian Churches.
Hopefully I will be sharing a few Orthodox Hymns that day on the Open Thread.
May our Lord and saviour watch over the USA and help bring our nation back to GOD.
Amen, Amen, Amen!!
Menagerie,
I learn so much here in the tree and am reminded of important events by you and Sundance.
Praise be to God and Jesus Christ on this, and every other day. We are blessed beyond measure.
Thank you.
I absolutely believe with all my heart that scripture is True and this exact thing happened. Thank You Jesus
I love You. Steele 81
Praise to God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who by God’s hand set us on a course for redemption and salvation! No Other name!! Only JESUS!!!!
So thankful for our loving God, and for faithful servants like the CTH crew.
If all you can see around you is darkness, Maybe you are the light.
Whenever two or more gather in his name, he is there.
Thank you dear Lord Jesus. And thank you that you put your blessing upon us as we do our Father’s will here, through the power of your wonderful Holy Spirit who lives within us. In your precious and holy name Jesus, amen.
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased”
Amen. 🙏
Beautiful thread.
Thank you menagerie and fellow treepers.
🙏
I will enjoy all the musical recommendations, as well.
I would like to point something out about the Ascension of Jesus.
Acts 1:3 says the Ascension occurred “forty days after he suffered and died…”. Then, in Acts 1:9, he was taken up in a cloud.
Acts 1:3 says this happened 40 days after he suffered and died, not 40 days after He rose. That’s a 2 day difference.
That would put the Ascension on Tuesday, 5-24 instead of today. That would be 40 days after he suffered and died.
Using today’s date for the Ascension is a Catholic tradition fitting the narrative of “Ascension Thursday”.
And ten days from today, we celebrate Shavout or Pentecost, all those amazing happenings. The Torah was given, the Holy Spirit was given and the beginning of the new covenant.
This is a wonderful Gospel passage to read. Thanks for posting it!