Issues, Etc. Looking Forward to Sunday Morning (One Year Lectionary): Ascension Day – Dr. John Bombaro, 5/12/26 (1324)
May 12, 2026
Dr. John Bombaro, senior pastor and Navy chaplain offering confessional Lutheran and liturgical insight. He explores Ascension Day’s theological meaning, the Ascension preface and liturgical symbolism. He connects Psalms and Old Testament types to Christ’s exaltation, traces Acts 1’s movements, and reflects on hymns and festival tone.
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Episode notes
Observe Ascension On Its Thursday Date
- Do observe Ascension on Thursday when it falls 40 days after Easter rather than transferring it to Sunday.
- Bombaro warns transferring to Sunday is an accommodation to convenience that diminishes one of the four chief feasts.
Why Christ Is Present In The Sacraments After Ascension
- Ascension explains how Christ can be bodily absent in heaven yet sacramentally present on earth.
- Bombaro links Christ's heavenly enthronement to his real presence in Word, water, bread, and wine through the Spirit.
Use Liturgy To Make Ascension Tangible
- Use liturgy to mark Ascension visibly, e.g., extinguish the Paschal Candle after the Gospel.
- Bombaro describes St. James' practice: Paschal Candle out after Gospel and white/gold vestments for joy and kingship.
