Ascension of the Lord: Reflection (B)

I posted a reflection on the feast of Ascension last year and that post has attracted attention of many visitors to my Blog. This year I want to add a little more of that on this particular feast. The apostle says: “If you have risen with Christ, set your hearts on the things that are above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God; seek the things that are above, not the things that are on earth. For just as he remained with us even after his ascension, so we too are already in heaven with him, even though what is promised us has not yet been fulfilled in our bodies." "The things above..." In the Eastern rites the feast of Ascension was known as analepsis, the taking up (...above), and also as the episozomene, the salvation, denoting that by ascending into His glory Christ completed the work of our redemption. Taking up and redeeming. These two verbs remind us of two gestures that Jesus did during his ministry. He “held up”, helped up many. He saved many from their stagnation, their diseases, their great challenges. He actually brought himself close to others not in order to remain there down but to lift them up, to take them up. This gesture for me means a lot more. To be “Taken up” is to be given back a sense of meaning in life. It is to be made again “sons and daughters of God”. And that’s why the gospel indicates, “at the right hand of God He took his place.” Ascension is to us not just a pointer to God’s Glory but ours too. We have to discover our glory while doing exactly what the Lord asked us to do. To go out and preach the good news to all. “Going out preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the signs that accompanied it.” (Mark 16:20) Let there be signs accompanying our preaching. Wait! We are not talking of working miracles but signs, real indications of being imbued by the Spirit of the Risen Lord. We are talking of pointers of a changed life. That will be our glory here on earth already! Get going, brothers and sisters!

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