May 24, 2009
Ascension
In some parts of the country today is “Ascension Sunday.” We, of course, celebrated the Feast of the Ascension last Thursday. But the bishops west of the Mississippi chose to move the celebration of the Feast to the 7th Sunday of Easter so that more people would participate in this important holy day.
If you missed it this year, I thought I’d take a moment to reflect on the meaning of this feast. Did you ever consider what would happen if Jesus didn’t ascend to heaven, but instead (after his resurrection) stayed here on earth to continue his ministry? If he really wanted to be close to his disciples, why would he leave them?
Well consider this: if Jesus still walked this earth in his glorified body, he could only be in one place at one time -- such is the nature of living in space and time here on earth. Just as I can’t be at St. Brigid’s this weekend (read the sidebar to see why), Jesus couldn’t be physically present to us if he was in Greece or India or Mexico or Bayone, New Jersey. And if he was with us this weekend, he wouldn’t be in those other places.
So it’s somewhat ironic that in order for Jesus to be present everywhere, he needed to ascend to heaven. But here is the truth: as one of the Eucharistic Prayers says, “[Father], Jesus now lives with you in glory, but he is also here on earth among us.” It’s true! Jesus IS with us today as we gather at the Eucharistic table.
He can be here and everywhere else.
Some might say, “But if Jesus was still walking our earth, he could do the things he did 2000 years ago -- heal people, feed people, forgive people, teach people, bless people , etc. Now he’s no longer here to do that.” If you long to see the hands that healed, fed, forgave, taught and blessed, look no further than the ends of your arms. Since Jesus lives in you and me, YOU AND I are Christ’s hands. We get to heal and feed and forgive and teach and bless. Let’s get busy!
The Feast of the Ascension is more about the presence of the Lord than the leaving of the Lord. He’s here in our midst! He’s alive!
Alleluia!
