A crown is being woven…


The Ascension of the Lord


“Why do you stand looking up toward heaven?” (Acts 1:11)


The Ascension can feel, at first, like a goodbye. The disciples watch Jesus rise, and a cloud takes Him from their sight. It seems like absence, like loss. But the angels gently correct them: do not stand there looking only upward. Because the Ascension is not about Jesus leaving—it is about His reign beginning.


Christ does not go far away; He goes deeper. Seated at the right hand of the Father, He is no longer limited to one place, one road, one moment in history. Now He is present everywhere—especially in His Church, in His Word, and in the Eucharist.


And something else happens: the mission changes hands. The same Jesus who ascends also sends: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations.


The disciples who once followed are now apostles who are sent. The gaze that was fixed on the sky must turn outward—to the world, to the poor, to the lost, to every soul waiting for hope.


The Ascension, then, is not an ending. It is a beginning.
Christ ascends so that we may rise.
Christ reigns so that we may witness.
Christ is hidden so that He may be found—in us.
So we do not stand still, looking up.
We go forth, carrying heaven into the world.
Amen.

The Backstore for webmaster: Revive Social Plugin Evaluation (Personal Experience)

Revive Social is a digital marketing tool designed primarily for managing and automating the sharing of your website’s content on social media platforms. It’s especially popular among bloggers, businesses, and website owners who use WordPress.

Here’s a quick overview:

What it does: Revive Social (formerly known as Revive Old Post) connects to your WordPress site and automatically shares new and older posts to your social media accounts like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and others.

Purpose: The goal is to keep your content alive and continually reaching new audiences by resharing it, increasing website traffic and engagement without manual effort.

Features: You can schedule posts, customize the content shared, track clicks, and control which posts are promoted or excluded.

Ideal Users: Anyone with a blog or website who wants to maintain an active social media presence with minimal time investment.

In summary:
Revive Social automates social media sharing for website content, saving time and boosting traffic by keeping your posts circulating across social networks.

Revive Social Plugin Evaluation (Personal Experience)
I have Revive Social installed on my website, though I initially didn’t recall the name because I tried several similar plugins before, most of which weren’t effective for my needs, except for Jetpack Social, which I also used. With the free version of Revive Social, I’ve found it works reliably for reposting my blog content on social media, but the features are somewhat limited unless you upgrade.

I am considering purchasing the Pro version at $99 USD. However, I find the price a bit high, especially since I already pay for many other tools and subscriptions to run my site. It would be great if there were a more affordable tier or additional value at the current price for small website owners.

Overall, Revive Social is a good tool for automating social media sharing from WordPress, especially for those who need reliable, hands-off content promotion. The free version is somewhat basic, and the Pro version, while feature-rich, is a significant investment.

The Tabernacle at the Manse’s Chapel

The Tabernacle: From Ancient Origins to Modern Church Use

The word “tabernacle” carries profound spiritual and historical significance, tracing a rich journey from its origins in ancient Israel to its role in contemporary Christian worship. This post explores the evolution of the tabernacle, examining its biblical beginnings, symbolic meanings, architectural transformations, and its ongoing presence in churches today.

Origins: The Tabernacle in Ancient Israel
The story of the tabernacle begins in the Book of Exodus, where God instructs Moses to construct a portable sanctuary so that He might dwell among His people during their journey through the wilderness. Detailed instructions were given for its construction (Exodus 25–27), specifying materials such as gold, silver, bronze, and fine linens. The tabernacle included the Holy Place, the Most Holy Place (or Holy of Holies), the Ark of the Covenant, and various sacred furnishings. It served as the spiritual center of the Israelite camp, a place for sacrifices, offerings, and encounters with the divine.

The tabernacle was more than a physical structure; it symbolized God’s presence, guidance, and covenant with Israel. Its portability allowed the Israelites to carry their faith wherever they travelled, reinforcing the idea that God was not bound to a single location.

From Tabernacle to Temple
After the Israelites settled in the Promised Land, the need for a permanent place of worship became evident. King Solomon eventually built the First Temple in Jerusalem, modelled on the tabernacle’s design but on a grander scale. While the tabernacle itself fell out of use, its spiritual legacy endured, influencing both the First and Second Temples.

The Tabernacle in Christian Theology
For Christians, the tabernacle took on new meaning in the light of Jesus Christ. The Gospel of John refers to Christ as the Word who “dwelt” among us (John 1:14), using the Greek word for “tabernacled.” Early Christians saw the tabernacle as foreshadowing Christ’s incarnation and sacrificial work, as well as the Holy Spirit’s indwelling in believers.

The Tabernacle in Church Architecture and Worship
In the context of Christian worship, the term “tabernacle” evolved to refer to the place where the Eucharist, the consecrated elements of Holy Communion, are reserved. In Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and some Anglican churches, the tabernacle is often a small, ornate box or safe located on or behind the altar. It serves as a sacred space for the Body of Christ, symbolizing both reverence and Christ’s continuing presence in the church.

Architecturally, the tabernacle’s influence is evident in the design of many churches, with sanctuaries and altars often reflecting elements of the original structure. The tabernacle’s themes of holiness, sacrifice, and divine presence remain central to Christian liturgy and theology.

Modern Use and Significance
Today, the tabernacle continues to hold a place of honour in many churches. It is a focal point for prayer and adoration, especially in traditions that practice Eucharistic devotion. The presence of the tabernacle invites the faithful to contemplate the mystery of Christ’s presence and the call to holiness.

Conclusion
From its ancient roots in the wilderness to its place in modern sanctuaries, the tabernacle represents a powerful continuity of faith. It reminds believers of God’s desire to dwell among His people and invites ongoing reflection on the meaning of sacred space and divine presence in the life of the church.

What if your prayer was part of something greater?


François de Montmorency de Laval



For a longer bio, visit our Followship site

Today’s Topic:  “The Altar Crucifix”

The altar crucifix is not a decoration. It is a theological anchor placed at the very heart of the altar—where sacrifice, presence, and remembrance meet.

Before every word is spoken, before every prayer is lifted, the Crucifix already speaks.

It does not argue.
It does not explain.
It simply reveals:

Love poured out.

Here, at the altar, we do not remember a distant moment.
We stand at the foot of the Crucifixion of Jesus—
where mercy was opened,
where the Heart of Christ was given without reserve.

The wood of the Cross and the table of the altar are one mystery:
sacrifice and offering,
death and life,
silence and the eternal Word.

And beside the Cross, unseen yet ever present, stands the Mother—
Mary, Mother of Jesus—
teaching us how to remain, how to receive, how to believe.

In every Eucharist,
What is lifted is not only bread and wine,
But the whole offering of Christ Himself.

And we are invited—quietly, freely—
to place our own lives there as well:

our burdens,
our wounds,
our hidden prayers.

Nothing is too small to be united
to so great a Love.

So we look upon the Crucifix…
And we learn again:

not how to speak,
But how to give?

The Altar Crucifix: What we know, and why it matters.

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Upper Room Devotion — May 1–3

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Upper Room Devotion — May 1–3