Ascension Day: Jesus Passes the Baton
"It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him our of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven?" Acts 1:5-11
When I consider Ascension Day, I think of a relay race, in which a succession of runners take turns running their portion of a longer race. This is not because I am -- or ever have been -- a runner. (This would be obvious to anyone who saw my last 100 yards in the Bishop's Road Race, which was my version of a sprint.) But for me it is an image that speaks of us being an integral part of Jesus life and ministry.
Jesus began his earthly ministry, tradition tells us, when he was about 30 years old. It continued for about 3 years, during which time he practiced what he preached -- healing those who needed healing, be it in body, mind or spirit; sharing the Good News of God's abiding love not only for God's chosen people -- the Jews -- but for all humankind. He called his followers to a new commandment -- to love one another as God loved us. Those 3 years culminated in his passion, death on the cross, and resurrection, a period of 40 days in which he continued to teach his disciples. And the he is taken up into the clouds.
In the metaphor of the relay race, Jesus has finished the earthly "leg" of our race -- a race in which each of us are his teammates. He has passed the baton to us, and now it is our turn to complete the race to victory. And in what does that victory consist? To keep doing what Jesus did in word and deed, to the best of our ability. And Jesus has promised that he will be right behind us.
I invite you to join us for our Ascension Day Eucharist at 12:10 p.m. in the chapel.
Have a blessed day! Your brother in Christ, Don+
When I consider Ascension Day, I think of a relay race, in which a succession of runners take turns running their portion of a longer race. This is not because I am -- or ever have been -- a runner. (This would be obvious to anyone who saw my last 100 yards in the Bishop's Road Race, which was my version of a sprint.) But for me it is an image that speaks of us being an integral part of Jesus life and ministry.
Jesus began his earthly ministry, tradition tells us, when he was about 30 years old. It continued for about 3 years, during which time he practiced what he preached -- healing those who needed healing, be it in body, mind or spirit; sharing the Good News of God's abiding love not only for God's chosen people -- the Jews -- but for all humankind. He called his followers to a new commandment -- to love one another as God loved us. Those 3 years culminated in his passion, death on the cross, and resurrection, a period of 40 days in which he continued to teach his disciples. And the he is taken up into the clouds.
In the metaphor of the relay race, Jesus has finished the earthly "leg" of our race -- a race in which each of us are his teammates. He has passed the baton to us, and now it is our turn to complete the race to victory. And in what does that victory consist? To keep doing what Jesus did in word and deed, to the best of our ability. And Jesus has promised that he will be right behind us.
I invite you to join us for our Ascension Day Eucharist at 12:10 p.m. in the chapel.
Have a blessed day! Your brother in Christ, Don+
posted by Don+ @ 8:45 AM
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