The Church of the Ascension and Saint Agnes
12th and Massachusetts Ave, NW - Washington, DC 20005 - 202.347.8161
12th and Massachusetts Ave, NW - Washington, DC 20005 - 202.347.8161
WE ARE A COMMUNITY that expresses its love for our Lord Jesus Christ in ancient worship forms. We are a community that seeks to understand what it prays. We are a community that asks the Holy Spirit to teach us to love one another, and the world beyond our church walls. By God’s graciousness, we are growing. We would love to have you join us!
Fay Sharon Greenland Campbell
May Her Soul and the Souls of All the Faithful Departed Rest in Peace
A memorial Mass will be celebrated at the Church of the Ascension and St. Agnes
Saturday, August 4, 2018
at 4:00 p.m.
obituary
A memorial Mass will be celebrated at the Church of the Ascension and St. Agnes
Saturday, August 4, 2018
at 4:00 p.m.
obituary
From the Rector:
Pure Motives
#12thandMass
July 29, 2018
In this Sunday’s gospel (John 6:1-21), after the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves, Jesus quickly and quietly withdraws to the mountain. Such withdrawal could seem a little unusual. Why not stay and fellowship with the crowd? Why does Jesus leave? Is it that He was exhausted? Or, perhaps, He does not do crowds after all? Or, maybe, He hates to be touched?
I would venture to say that Jesus withdraws for at least three other reasons:
The crowd’s motives were not pure. The attempt to enthrone Jesus was about them, not really Him. Saint Thomas Aquinas notes (in his commentary on this passage) that “People often want as their ruler someone who will provide them with temporal things.” Jesus wants us to approach Him out of love, not just so to get things. Jesus is not the big PEZ candy dispenser in the sky. No one makes Jesus king. He is already king, the divine king. He is king because He is God. There is no possessing Jesus. There is only surrendering to Him, and letting Him freely fill us.
To Continue reading Father Dominique's letter
In this Sunday’s gospel (John 6:1-21), after the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves, Jesus quickly and quietly withdraws to the mountain. Such withdrawal could seem a little unusual. Why not stay and fellowship with the crowd? Why does Jesus leave? Is it that He was exhausted? Or, perhaps, He does not do crowds after all? Or, maybe, He hates to be touched?
I would venture to say that Jesus withdraws for at least three other reasons:
The crowd’s motives were not pure. The attempt to enthrone Jesus was about them, not really Him. Saint Thomas Aquinas notes (in his commentary on this passage) that “People often want as their ruler someone who will provide them with temporal things.” Jesus wants us to approach Him out of love, not just so to get things. Jesus is not the big PEZ candy dispenser in the sky. No one makes Jesus king. He is already king, the divine king. He is king because He is God. There is no possessing Jesus. There is only surrendering to Him, and letting Him freely fill us.
To Continue reading Father Dominique's letter
Worship ServicesSundays
Monthly Mass at Thomas House — The parish will facilitate a monthly Mass for the residents of Thomas House, a retirement community at 1330 Massachusetts Ave. NW. Father Richard (Rick) Houghton, a resident, will celebrate. Deacon Mary McCue will assist. The first will be Thursday, May 10 at 11:00 in the Chapel (first floor). All are welcome to attend. If you'd like to assist with this, please contact Deacon Mary. To see our full calendar click here. |
Summer Reading
Father Dominique shared that during this year’s clergy conference, Bishop Marianne invited pastor and author, Tony Morgan, to present his book, The Unstuck Church. He found this book on church growth and health relevant and timely for Vestry leadership. The Vestry will be reading it for reflection this summer. All parishioners are invited to do so!
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