[BIBLE STUDY] Hope Arises
“God is light and in him there is no darkness at all.”
As the excitement of Easter comes to a close, we are left glowing with content at what Christ’s resurrection truly means for us. After defeating the grave, Jesus continued his ministry and walked with his beloved disciples for forty more days on earth. The joyful feast of the Ascension marks the moment when Christ ascended into heaven on a brilliant cloud, and it reaffirms the call of Christians to continue the ministry of the Church in love. Though he left us in his physical form to be “exalted at the right hand of the Father” (Acts 2:33), Christ gave us the Holy Spirit as the great comforter and guide.
- Where has God’s light been revealed in your life? Describe.
- Why is it important that our words match our actions? What could be harmful about believing/saying one thing and doing another?
The victory of our faith is that the grave was not the conclusion of the story. The account of the Ascension was the end of Christ’s life on earth, but it marked the beginning of the life of Christ’s Church on earth. His ascension, in which he rose to heaven surrounded by clouds and angels, was not a mere fairytale— it was seen, touched, and felt sincerely. Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension have a direct effect on our lived reality today. It makes room for all of us to throw off our worries and step into the newness of the resurrection every single day.
- In what ways are you “short-sighted” and “blind” to the guidance of God? Who or what can help you open your eyes to the “very great promises” of God?
- According to this passage, we have everything we need for “life and godliness” inherently within us. Do you feel this to be true? Why or why not?
- Describe the ways in which you actively put forth the effort to strengthen your faith with goodness, knowledge, self-control, endurance, godliness, mutual affection, and love.
In closing, reflect on the words of St. Gregory of Narek from his Book of Lamentations:
“Rekindle your light of atonement in me, heavenly king, so that shaking of the dust of sin, my soul can stand upright like the people returning from Babylon, having herd the voice of good tidings. And I will be able to sit up again, on the firm foundation of your unshakable hope. In the words of the prophet Isaiah, I shall be clothed in my former purity by your mighty hand, for the sweetness of your all-giving divinity and your great glory.”
(Prayer 19E)