(My internet has been on the blink the last few days, sorry for the delay.)
The Ascension of the Lord and the World Day of Communications.
When I was growing up, today’s feast day was on a Thursday; Ascension Thursday. Both it and Corpus Christi were holidays from school and more often than not we would get the Friday of; a joyous event! (the day off more so than the Feast)
Today brings to an end this part of the wonderful journey of Easter. While the liturgical season has another week to go, there is now something different about the celebration. We wait for the Holy Spirit as we witness that Lord goes up with shouts of joy. Just like the men of Galilee, we wait for the Lord to return in the same way he has gone. Jesus has not abandoned us, he has gone to prepare the place for us that he told us he would.
Jesus ascends into Heaven the Acts of the Apostles tells us. It’s the second time in just over 40 days he has been taken away from the disciples. The first time they scatter to hide in Jerusalem for fear, this time they go back to wait for the Holy Spirit to give them all they need for the great commissioning they have received from Jesus.
A colleague of mine in the Diocese had an unusual request a few weeks ago. A man called to the door of the presbytery with a medal of St Christopher. He wanted it blessed and the priest duly obliged. The man told him the reason he had gotten the medal and had come to have it blessed was that he was about to climb Mt Everest, as he was setting out on this huge journey we wanted something to him to remind him of God and keep him safe. The faith displayed by the climber can be tied very much into what we celebrate today.
The Ascension, in itself, is a part of the Mystery of Faith. From the earliest times it was included as part of the profession of the Christian faith. Every Mass is a celebration of what we celebrate today. The preface says “today the Lord Jesus, the King of Glory the conqueror of sin and death, ascended to heaven while the angels sang his praises” The Eucharistic Prayers I, III and IV also make reference to it. Jesus ascended into glory and as he ascends we ascend with him. The fruits of faith in Christ are not just reserved for the end of time, every moment of every life is a opportunity of ascension. Of course only in the hereafter will we experience the true meaning of union with God, but even now we can experience that glory.
The man that climbed Mt Everest had in his pocket, or around his neck a tiny piece of metal with the image of a saint, blessed by a priest. In itself it is insignificant, what it symbolizes is infinitely greater. He believed that God was going to help him as he climbed the highest mountain on earth and when he got there, taking in what must be a spectacular view, no doubt he thanked the Almighty for what he achieved.
Jesus journeys with us as we ascend. As we gather to celebrate the Mass we celebrate the mystery of faith; from where Christ is, he will return to bring us home. As we receive the Eucharist we receive his unfailing presence which guides and brings us to the summits and through the valleys of life. Christ has not left us alone. He has sent us the Holy Spirit and has called us into the family of the Church. Unlike Good Friday this time we can return to Jerusalem joyful knowing that Jesus has not abandoned us and will keep us close if we but let him.
All peoples clap your hands
cry to God with shouts of joy!
For the Lord, the Most High, we must fear,
great king over all Gods.
God goes up with shouts of joy.
The Lords ascends with trumpet blast
Sing praise for God sing praise
Sing praise to our king sing praise
God is king of all the earth
Sing praise with all you skill.
God is king over the nations
God reigns on his holy throne.
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