Bits of the Gospel

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...

Let me begin by clarifying that this Solemnity should be understood in the context of Resurrection, the Easter Event. The Apostles are clearly sad. The Lord has in the last days behaved "strangely", like one really serious when He says, "I'm going to my Father and your Father, My God and your God." And even more saddening facts, "The world will hate you [read, will treat you badly. Think of the Good Friday Facts fresh in mind!] just they did to me!" (John 16:16-20). It did not feel good at all, nor did the disciples seem to receive it with the faith expected [They received it with the faith they had, their little faith!) Ascension, as it is presented to us, is clearly the feast of glory. First, if we still stick to our faith that God cannot lose his Glory [Not even theoretically!]then we've already admitted that the Son kept his glory through his earthly life: birth, life, teachings, suffering, death and resurrection, even to Ascension. For us t...