Ascension Day

(From Hans Memling’s triptych - found here)

“After the definitive ascension of Christ into the glory of the Father, the community of disciples is left with the daunting task of announcing the Resurrection to all nations, beginning with the tumultuous city of Jerusalem. Certain elements of what they are to proclaim were already known to them: the parables and teachings of Jesus on resurrection, the prophecies of Scripture, and their own powerful experience of encountering the Risen Lord. And yet, they are told to await the gift of power from on high that will come to them in the Holy Spirit: ‘You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high’ (Luke 24:48-49; cf. Acts 1:8). Not only will the Spirit give them courage to announce boldly in word and deed what they already know of the Resurrection, but he will continue to assist them as they deepen their shared faith and communicate it to both Jews and pagans alike (John 16:12-13). When read in this light, the Acts of the Apostles and the letters of Peter, Paul, and John reveal the progressive elaboration of resurrection faith in the early Christian community.

Meanwhile, Christ promises: ‘And lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age’ (Matt. 28:20). The Resurrection and Ascension are not mysteries of absence but of presence. Released from the constraints of time and place, Christ is always and everywhere present to and in those who are gathered in his name. Moreover, it is in order to prepare a place for us that he has gone ahead:

And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. (John 14:3)

Father, I desire that they also, whom thou hast given me, may be with me where I am, to behold my glory which thou hast given me in thy love for me before the foundation of the world. (John 17:24)

The Risen Christ’s message to us is the same as it was to Mary Magdalene on the morning of the Resurrection and later to all the disciples gathered at the Ascension — to keep our hearts and minds fixed in God if we wish to find him: ‘If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God’ (Col. 3:1-3).”

~Laura Bedingfeld