A major Feast Day on the Church calendar that never gets its props. The Ascension is 40 days after Easter, so it always falls on a Thursday. Try gettin' people whipped up for that.
But there are majestic and comfortable messages. Christ returns to his rightful place in glory, to represent our frail, doubtful humanity and make a place for us.
This reverses our loss of paradise. Our way to God was like the roads in Sioux Falls during Spring/Summer construction - every way you try to go blocked by orange cones and barrels. As Christ ascends into heaven, the cones and barrels get moved. He opens the way.
The morning readings contain some comfort, too. Christ's Ascension is not for the strong and perfect, but for the weak and wobbly,
those of us being bested by life's tests and challenges:
For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested. Hebrews 2:16-18
those of us who worship him through a fog of doubts:
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Matthew 28:16-20
So, Happy Ascension Day! Alleluia!
But there are majestic and comfortable messages. Christ returns to his rightful place in glory, to represent our frail, doubtful humanity and make a place for us.
This reverses our loss of paradise. Our way to God was like the roads in Sioux Falls during Spring/Summer construction - every way you try to go blocked by orange cones and barrels. As Christ ascends into heaven, the cones and barrels get moved. He opens the way.
The morning readings contain some comfort, too. Christ's Ascension is not for the strong and perfect, but for the weak and wobbly,
those of us being bested by life's tests and challenges:
For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested. Hebrews 2:16-18
those of us who worship him through a fog of doubts:
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Matthew 28:16-20
So, Happy Ascension Day! Alleluia!
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