Waiting Sunday
Exaudi Sunday is the seventh and final Sunday in Easter. It is uniquely sandwiched between the Lord’s Ascension and the celebration of Pentecost, which commemorates the coming of our promised Comforter. For this reason, its themes relate to the Church’s longing and expectancy for the Holy Spirit, and the day has been appropriately given the name “Waiting Sunday.”
The name Exaudi comes from the introit for the day in which we pray, “Hear (exaudi), O Lord!” Certainly a change from the themes of the previous Sundays of rejoicing (Jubilate) and singing (Cantate), the lessons on Exaudi Sunday have at their heart a petition that begs the Lord to hear and remember his people. Therefore, this Sunday serves as a fitting transition and tapering down from the Easter season, leading the Church into the next liturgical season that follows Pentecost.
The epistle, too, brings us back down to earth, as it were. It has Christians attend to words of exhortation to remain watchful and sober. Yes, while the Easter victory has been won and the memory of the Lord’s Ascension is fresh, the Church knows that there is work to be done. The Comforter is coming, and his work is not done yet, as explained in the Gospel text for the day.
The Gospel for Exaudi brings the hope yet soberness of the reality at hand. It draws out two main realities of the glory that the Church will have on earth: the promised Spirit will come and testify to Jesus, and the Church will then testify of him to the world. The reading continues with the warning: the disciples will suffer for their testimony, and anyone who persecutes them will think they are rendering service to God.
This Sunday’s theme of waiting is also understood as anticipation of the Holy Spirit’s descent on Pentecost. While this theme is most appropriate for Exaudi, it is also reminiscent of the entirety of the history of the Church, which is consumed with waiting for the risen Lord. Even though he has come once, we know he will come again. In the meantime, we wait. Thankfully, this waiting is not idle but filled with love and good works, vigilant prayer, and witnessing Jesus to the world.
Brief History
The placement of Exaudi Sunday within the octave of Ascension makes it a perfect opportunity to revel in the miracle of the Ascension and the Church’s triumph with her Lord. For where he goes, she follows. In this vein, the Lutheran Church has retained festivities related to the Feast of the Ascension as the ones most appropriate to celebrate on this Sunday, even if the propers for Exaudi itself take on a more anticipatory and expectant tone.
Collect
Almighty, Everlasting God: make us to have always a devout will towards Thee, and to serve Thy majesty with a pure heart; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost: ever one God, world without end. Amen.
Lessons
Resources
Issues, Etc. interview with the Rev. David Petersen on Exaudi Sunday
Propers found in Daily Divine Service Book: A Lutheran Daily Missal, edited by the Rev. Heath Curtis
References:
1. Lindemann, the Rev. Fred H. The Sermon and The Propers, Volume II: Pre-Lent to Pentecost. Concordia Publishing House. 1958.
2. Weiser, Francis X. Handbook of Christian Feasts and Customs: The Year of the Lord in Liturgy and Folklore. Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc. 1952.
Images:
1. The Apostles Preach the Gospel, Gustave Doré, France, ca. 1800.
2. Pentecost, Duccio di Buoninsegna, Italy, ca. 1311.
[…] Sunday was consumed with expectation for the coming Comforter, as we discuss in greater detail in this post about the day, and any previous delineation as “Rose” Sunday was […]