A reflection on The Ascension
The Ascension of Jesus is one of the most difficult passages in scripture to grasp. As human beings we are bound by the constraints of time and place.
There is a wonderful line in Shakespeare, ‘There are more things in heaven and earth Horatio, than in all of your philosophy’. The ascension invites us to see beyond the limitations of our daily routine and enter into God-time, and God-place.
Following the Ascension, in this God dimension, Jesus is present to us in a new and radical way. He is no longer bound by chronology or geography. He said, ‘wherever two or three are gathered in my name, there am I also.’
What a very different world it would be if we truly grasped this exciting reality. It is a reality that transforms our existence and makes all things possible.
To understand this, we need only consider that it was an odd assortment of fishermen, a tax collector, and women, along with a particularly eloquent, and at times difficult, Pharisee who responded to this message and promise. In so doing they transformed the world.
The Ascension invites us to be part of this transformation of the world and ourselves by recognising the Risen Jesus and relocating into God time and God space.
A prayer for Feast of the Ascension of our Lord
Where is the Lord to be found?
Where is the Kingdom of God located?
Lord, remind us that the Kingdom of God is about our hearts and minds
open to your presence,
your saving action, and your consolation.
In a world that is broken remind us that…
You are present whenever two or three are gathered in your name.
You are present when we do as you did and put others first.
You are with us when we share our talents, commitment and joy
to bring your message to this broken world.
Through the Ascension you are with us in a radical new way
that transcends time and space.
Lord, help us to be your presence in the world,
through all that we are and all that we do.
We ask this through you, Christ our Lord. Amen
Image: Unsplash/Adam Kring