PETER ON THE FIRST ASCENSION DAY

NARR	You won't find this story in the bible, because it probably
	never happened.  Jesus has ascended to heaven.  The
	disciples are making their way down the Mount of Olives back
	to Jerusalem, but Peter is left behind.

PETER	Well you've left us for sure this time, Jesus.  I don't even
	know whether you can hear me or whether I'm talking to thin
	air.

NARR	'I am going to the Father.  And I will do whatever you ask
	in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father.
	You may ask me for anything.'

PETER	Yes, I remember what you said.  I guess you must be able to
	hear me then.
	[pause]
	It seems such a pity that your ministry was so short.  There
	are still a lot of people who need to be shown that your
	kingdom is near.

NARR	'I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do
	what I have been doing.  He will do even greater things than
	these, because I am going to the Father.'

PETER	But how will we remember all that you have said?  You know
	how many times you had to tell us some of it.

NARR	'The Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send
	in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of
	everything I have said to you.'

PETER	It’s still a tall order, doing the same works and greater.
	How will we have the power to do all that?

NARR	'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.'

PETER	Good, what a relief.  I suppose I'd better go and get a
	committee together to think up some ideas and get going.
	There's no time to lose if we are to go to the ends of the
	earth.  I don't even know where the ends of the earth are.

NARR	'Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father
	promised, which you have heard me speak about.  For John
	baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized
	with the Holy Spirit.'

PETER	All the same, it will feel very different doing it without
	you, Lord.

NARR	'Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'

PETER	Great!  This calls for rejoicing.  If I set off now I can
	overtake the others and be the first to the temple.  That
	way I'll get to choose the first psalm.  Goodbye Jesus.
	Sorry — I mean 'Amen.'
	[pause]
	I wonder whether the Holy Spirit really will remind us of
	everything Jesus said?