a copy of the true one, but heaven
itself,
that he might now appear before God on
our behalf.
As Jesus ascended and
disappeared into heaven, two angels questioned the disciples: “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the
sky?” The same angels might ask the same question of Christians today. That
millenarian expectation runs deep, especially in American religion. When you’re
sitting on top of the world, more powerful than any other nation in history,
wealthy, secure, and feeling the heat of envy from several billion people, you
might be forgiven for wishing the Divine Referee would suddenly announce, “The
game is over and the United States of America won!”
On this Feast of the Ascension, rather than looking to the
sky for a deus ex
machina solution to all our problems, we should celebrate the victory
that Jesus has won and the station he has been
given.
The only begotten son of the Virgin Mary, born in poverty,
raised in exile, homeless, despised, humiliated, abandoned, executed as a
common criminal and buried in a borrowed crypt, has been raised to take his
seat at the right hand of God. We honor him as King of kings and Lord of lords.
We honor him also as our priest. He has entered the
sanctuary of heaven, the original on which our sanctuaries are modeled, to
stand before God and offer himself, the perfect sacrifice. As an ancient author
has said, “He is the priest, the lamb and the altar of sacrifice.” God his Father
welcomes his sacrifice and accepts it as it is offered, in the name of the
whole human race for the purification and fulfillment of all creation.
Finally, on the Ascension, we praise God that Jesus
has not forgotten the people who love him. Sometimes when common folk rise to
astonishing heights in our world, as politicians, CEO’s, or entertainers, they
forget where they came from. They enjoy privileges and pleasures they should not have and cannot share. But Jesus remembers us. He knows each one’s
name. He appreciates our sacrifices and our courage and never fails to bless us
with his guiding, patient, delightful Holy Spirit. His victory is our victory,
his glory shines in us.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.