I'll Be Loving You Always

May 24, 2009
The Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord on Sunday
The Seventh Sunday of Easter (in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Nebraska; where the Ascension of the Lord was observed last Thursday)

Today's Word:
Acts 1:1-11 (Jesus' Ascension - the prelude to the sending of the Holy Spirit and the promise of His return)
Psalm 47:2-9 (God mounts his throne to shouts of joy)
Ephesians 1:17-23 (Christ has all things under his dominion; he is head of the Church, which is his body)
or Ephesians 4:1-13 (Unity in diversity: One Lord, one faith, one baptism - One body, many parts)
Mark 16:15-20 (The Great Commission; Jesus returns to the Father in Heaven)

(Sunday VII of Easter:)
Acts 1:15-26 (Matthias is chosen to fill Judas' vacancy after prayer and discernment)
Psalm 103:1-2, 11-12, 19-20 (The Lord has set his throne in heaven)
1 John 4:11-16 (As God is love, he who abides in love abides in God; and God abides in him)
John 17:11-19 ("Consecrate them in the truth; your word is truth")

And: Philippians 3:8-21 (The believer's citizenship is in heaven)

In order for Christians to fully realize the depth of their relationship with God, and especially with God in the person of Jesus Christ, he had to leave the earth behind - as we all do. While he could leave it bodily - a privilege he had as God but was also imparted to a select few - he died and left his physical body, as we one day will.

If Jesus had remained, everyone would continue to seek his direct intervention. We would not have been given his legacy, nor his Spirit from which the gifts of divine wisdom, counsel, knowledge, fortitude, piety, and respect all flow freely. Without these gifts, it would be much more difficult to join together as the family of man and move forward. It's already difficult enough - how many more would be lost in despair without this great hope and promise? Paul would not have been able to say that "our citizenship is in heaven" without such inspiration; it is unlikely that he ever saw Jesus in the flesh apart from that fateful day on the road to Damascus.

As on the night before his death, Jesus would have divine memory to take with him. But what he left behind was nothing short of a pure legacy of love, a love which would never end.

As around the sun the earth knows she's revolving
And the rosebuds know to bloom in early May
Just as hate knows love's the cure
You can rest your mind assure
That I'll be loving you always

As now can't reveal the mystery of tomorrow
But in passing will grow older every day
Just as all that's born is new
You know what I say is true
That I'll be loving you always

(Until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky)
Always (Until the ocean covers every mountain high)
Always (Until the dolphin flies and parrots live at sea)
Always (Until we dream of life and life becomes a dream)

Did you know that true love asks for nothing
Her acceptance is the way we pay
Did you know that life has given love a guarantee
To last through forever and another day

Just as time knew to move on since the beginning
And the seasons know exactly when to change
Just as kindness knows no shame
Know through all your joy and pain
That I'll be loving you always

As today I know I'm living, but tomorrow
Could make me the past, but that I mustn't fear
For I'll know deep in my mind
The love of me I've left behind
'Cause I'll be loving you always

(Until the day is night and night becomes the day)
Always (Until the trees and seas just up and fly away)
Always (Until the day that eight times eight times eight is four)
Always (Until the day that is the day that are no more)
Did you know you're loved by somebody (Until the day the earth starts turnin' right to left)
Always (Until the earth just for the sun denies itself)
I'll be lovin' you forever (Until dear mother nature says her work is through)
Always (Until the day that you are me and I am you)
Always (Until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky)
Yeah Until the ocean covers every mountain high)
Always

(Instrumental)

Bridge:
We all know sometimes life hates and troubles
Can make you wish you were born in another time and space
But you can bet your life times that and twice it's double
That God knew exactly where he wanted you to be placed

So make sure when you say you're in it, but not of it
You're not helpin' to make this earth a place sometimes called hell
Change your words into truths and then change that truth into love
And maybe our children's grandchildren and their great grandchildren will tell

I'll be loving you Until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky
Loving you Until the ocean covers every mountain high
Loving you Until the dolphin flies and parrots live at sea
Loving you Until we dream of life and life becomes a dream
Be loving you Until the day is night and night becomes the day
Loving you Until the trees and seas up, up and fly away
Loving you Until the day that eight times eight times eight is four
Loving you Until the day that is the day that are no more
Loving you Until the day the earth starts turning right to left
Be loving you Until the earth just for the sun denies itself
Loving you Until dear Mother Nature says her work is through
Loving you Until the day that you are me and I am you
Now ain't that loving you (Until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky)
Ain't that loving you (Until the ocean covers every mountain high)
And I've got to say always (Until the dolphin flies and parrots live at sea)
Always (Until we dream of life and life becomes a dream)
Always (Until the day is night and night becomes the day)
Always (Until the trees and sea just up and fly away)
Always (Until the day that eight times eight times eight is four)
Always (Until the day that is the day that are no more)
Always (Until the day the earth starts turning right to left)
Always (Until the earth just for the sun denies itself)
Always (Until dear Mother Nature says her work is through)
Always (Until the day that you are me and I am you)

Until the rainbow burns the stars out in the sky
Until the ocean covers every mountain high
Until the dolphin flies and parrots live at sea
Until we dream of life and life becomes a dream
Until the day is night and night becomes the day
Until the trees and sea just up and fly away
Until the day that eight times eight times eight is four
Until the day that is the day that are no more
Until the day the earth starts turning right to left
Until the earth just for the sun denies itself
Until dear Mother Nature says her work is through
Until the day that you are me and I am you

--As (I'll Be Loving You Always) (1976)
Stevie Wonder