Ascension of Christ

Ascension of Jesus
May 25, 2006

"... Why are you standing there looking at the sky." (Acts 1:1-11). "... They will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them" (Mark 16:15-20).

The angel who remains behind as Jesus is to be taken from them, apparently for the last time, asks the disciples why they are standing there gazing up into the sky. They seem momentarily paralyzed, but then are assured that he will return. In the meantime they and we must go about living with "only" his spiritual presence. The spiritual life is as much about looking around "down" here as it is looking "up" to heaven

The signs that will accompany faith in Jesus calls for some mature discernment. Simple literal interpretations have led to some rather bizarre practices, dramatic but of questionable everyday relevance. Perhaps we are to see these as signs of the spiritual courage of believers. God is a part of our lives when we confront threatening and terrifying realities far more dangerous than poisonous snakes. Spiritual language is more than strange sounds uttered for a privileged few. A few examples come to mind.

Facing a painful, debilitating or life-changing illness or injury.
Praying when surrounded by nothing but hopelessness and doubt.
Risking one's body, health, convenience or treasure for the sake of another.
Having the courage to openly oppose the poison of injustice, oppression and prejudice, even when these occur among our own families, friends, churches, workplaces, communities.
Getting old, frail, confused, isolated, useless.
Losing something or someone of great value, especially when it comes as a surprise or at the worst possible time.
Enduring emotionally excruciating abuse or abandonment, or remembering this suddenly, and not being believed.
Looking at one's own mistakes instead of others'
Being open to a world beyond church and religion.
Speaking and hearing the language of love, compassion, truth, wisdom and self-restraint

The Ascension of Christ is much more than an amazing story of defiance of gravity. It is a part of the true story of death and rebirth, loss and gain, hope out of despair, light out of darkness, of God's fidelity in spite of all appearances to the contrary.