ASCENSION OF THE LORD

Ascension of the Lord

            Outside the city of Jerusalem on a hill there is a spot about five metres square that is traditionally revered as the place from where Jesus took flight to heaven. The spot is enclosed in barbed wire and jealously guarded by Muslims. It is not easy to get a look in, but your guide can point it out from a distance.

            Material details aside, it is good to ask ourselves today what the remembrance of our Lord’s Ascension means for us. As you see Jesus leaving the hard ground, his beautiful body inclining forward towards you, his arms and shining nail-pierced hands unfolding in a gesture of reassurance, his face lit up in a gentle smile, his whole demeanour conveying one affectionate message: “Have no anxiety, I’m not really leaving you, only returning to my Father with whom I shall intercede for you till the end of time.”

And as you keep looking up at Jesus ascending higher and higher you can understand that he no longer belongs to one locality, not restricted to one spot on the earth, but becomes more and more universal, more and more available to more and more people: the Transcendent Lord of creation, universal Saviour of all men and women. Secondly, as you see the ascending Jesus entering the clouds, his army of angels form a guard of honour to greet him, a guard of honour that leads to the throne of his Heavenly Father.

            That’s how it is, and that’s how you and I want it to be, because, after all the pain and humiliation that he underwent for our sake, we want him to have the highest honour and most luminous glory.

            Thirdly, the visible Ascension of Jesus conveys the truth that his offering is now visibly complete. The surrender that began at Gethsemane – “Father, not my will but yours be done” – the surrender that was sealed on the cross – “Father, into your hands…” – that surrender got the Father’s approval by the Resurrection. The surrender, the immolation and self-offering are all complete and concluded by the Ascension. The disciples actually saw the offering of Jesus visibly accepted by the Father. The drama of our salvation is complete, at least where Jesus is concerned. On our part, what we need to do is to appropriate that salvation for ourselves by freely joining in Jesus’ surrender to his Father. So when we receive him in Holy Communion we can tell him, “Jesus, my ascending Lord, when you’re offering yourself to your Father, offer me too, together with you.” It’s as simple as that!

            And now, let me ask you, “Are you still gazing up into the heavens?” If so, then what you’re doing is quite right. Actually you’re looking for answers to your life’s questions in the realm of the Lord Jesus. We are human and we are limited, and also answerable. There is no flight from the human condition. Everybody has to walk the razor edge between limitation and responsibility.

 We are dealing with important and concrete matters in life: about sincerity in our relationships, honesty in work, unity in family life, sin and guilt, life and death. Talking about the Ascension of Jesus has to do with these issues, the point where we freely decide either to take the risk of faith or the risk of unbelief. Looking up into the sky suggests that the best answers to life’s issues will come through our faith in God. Our faith in God will help reinforce our faith in our fellowmen and also strengthen confidence in ourselves. So, after we have looked up into heaven and received true motivation and guidelines, we shall climb down the mount of Ascension and return to our daily tasks with renewed spirit.

There is a summons to transform the world, be it through politics, socio-economic advancement, academic education and education to human values. In our own nation we have astute politicians, smart technocrats, efficient medical personnel, religious leaders; you name it, we have it all. But what they all need is a change of heart. God has gone out of our lives.

The mysteries of Jesus have become our mysteries. Now that Jesus has gone through death to a glorious Resurrection and Ascension, and we are members of his body, it’s only too logical to conclude that what happened to him must also happen to us. Our bodies, like his, are pointing in a heavenly direction, so that where he is we too shall be. Wasn’t that his prayer to his Father, as recorded in John’s Gospel? “Father, I pray that where I am they also may be.” What a beautiful prayer, and quite effective, since the Father can never refuse the Son. So we can Amen to it.

My message to you this Ascension is: be comforted and courageous, confidently praying for all that you need in the name of Jesus.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we firmly believe that all you did for your Son you will do for us. We rejoice in your Son’s achievement, and glory in his praise. May we abide in his love, however, hard life may become for us and our children. As you made use of your Son’s suffering to effect our salvation, so fit us for your mansion where Jesus has gone to make a place for us, In Jesus’ name.

Amen.