Today, after almost four years, our son Gavin gets his braces off just in time for his 8th grade graduation ceremony. Of course, this time of year is filled with such joyous occasions.
Yes, ’tis the season for graduation invitations to ceremonies, celebrations, and parties, especially for high school and college graduates. These invitations mark important transitions in life and celebrate growth, accomplishment, and new beginnings. They remind us that life is always moving forward and calling us into something new.
Today is also Ascension Day, the 40th day of the Easter season. While much of the world may see today as another Thursday, the Church pauses to remember and celebrate the ascension of our Lord, Jesus Christ. In Luke and Acts, Jesus departs from his disciples and ascends into heaven. For some, the image may be difficult to understand. The ancient world viewed heaven differently than we often do today. Yet the spiritual meaning of Ascension Day remains deeply important for us as Christians.
The ascension reminds us that although Jesus is no longer physically present in the world, He is still Lord over all creation. As John and Charles Wesley proclaimed, the risen Christ reigns now and always. Jesus continues to love us, guide us, and invite us into a relationship with Him daily. The ascension also reminds us that the Church now carries the visible presence of Christ into the world. We are called to continue the work and ministry of Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit.
This Sunday, we conclude our Eastertide series, The Commons, as we continue in John 21:15-19 (CEB) and reflect on one of the most personal conversations between Jesus and Peter. After breakfast on the shore, Jesus turns toward Peter and asks him three times, “Do you love me?” Three times Peter answers, “Yes, Lord.” With each response, Jesus gives Peter both an invitation and a calling: “Feed my lambs.” “Take care of my sheep.” “Feed my sheep.”
Remember, Peter had denied Jesus three times during His arrest. Peter probably assumed his failure had prevented him from continuing to follow Jesus. Yet Jesus doesn’t condemn, shame, or shun Peter. Instead, Jesus restores Peter with love, grace, and purpose. The repeated questions aren’t meant to hurt Peter. They’re meant to heal and remind him that resurrection and grace always lead toward restoration and mission. Jesus invites Peter to start over… forgiven and renewed.
This Sunday will encourage us to live relationally and intentionally invite others to experience the love, grace, hope, forgiveness, and truth of Jesus. Invitations matter because they tell people they’re seen, welcomed, and loved. Many people begin a relationship with Christ and attend worship (or church events) simply because someone personally invited them.
As we celebrate Youth and Graduation Sunday, we will honor students and graduates of all ages and recognize that every new season of life is also an invitation to love, grow, serve, and follow Jesus more deeply.
This week, I encourage you to prayerfully consider who God may be inviting U… to invite.
With love,
Pastor Corey
