General Order No. 6 (2023-2024) – Ascension Message
GENERAL ORDER NO. 6, SERIES 2023-2024
Subject: Ascension Day Message
Thursday, May 18th, 2023, is the day we celebrate the ascension day of our Lord, Jesus Christ. To Christians, the Ascension signifies that Christ completed his work on earth and allowed him to go prepare a place for his followers in heaven.
The book of Acts Chapter 1 v 6-11 reads:
So when they met together, they asked him. “Lord, are you at this time going to restore
the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After he said this, he was taken up before their
very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
So, Sir Knights, let us stop looking to the sky and go be a witness for our Lord Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth. To complete the work, we have here on earth so we may be with our Father in heaven when the time comes.
This goes along with the scripture theme of our Grand Commander Chapman during
this year, Acts 20:24 which reads:
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
Let us pray: Lord, your holiness is perfect. We cannot fathom the beauty of your greatness and grace. I’m never going to be perfect, God, but I want to be an example of your kingdom in every moment of my life. Let my actions speak louder than words ever could. I pray the Holy Spirit will prompt the hearts of the people around me to want to know you more. Help them recognize that “something different” in me, your peace and
your presence. Thank you for saving my soul so I might be your witness. In Christ’s name, Amen.
This message was prepared by Sir Knight Daniel M. Bowden, Eminent Grand Prelate.
This General Order is to be read aloud at the next Stated Conclave following its receipt, and the action noted by the Recorder in the minutes with a copy attached thereto.
Fraternally,
T. Chance Chapman
Grand Commander
Attest:
Ronnie W. Wilson
Grand Recorder