Meditation on the Ascension

ASCENSION of the LORD The Easter days are coming to an end – we have been studying how Jesus was demonstrating he was alive, we read – “He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God” – this was to make sure they were certain of his being alive and of his presence with them. Two key things: ALIVE, & PRESENT. ALIVE – how critical to realize; remember these words of St. Paul: o   But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 1 Cor. 15:13ff PRESENCE is also essential to what will come next – the Age of the Church – our Age now. The Church is not simply about the life and teachings of someone who lived good life long ago – who continues to inspire people today. We, the Church, are not just carrying on, working it out alone – He is PRESENT with us now, as He was, He is and will be forever – PRESENT Let me make a little example how important PRESENCE really is – o   Supposing you have someone very dear – they move to China to study and work – you miss them terribly – one day you come home from work, hang up coat, turn on TV – then suddenly hear a conversation coming from kitchen and the voice, voice of your dear friend – they not in China now – they’re here PRESENT! – you would fly from the chair to embrace them. The first Easter days were full of joy at Jesus’ PRESENCE – even though it was a different kind of real presence they had to get used to. But now things are going to change again – not His PRESENCE – but a new way of his being PRESENT. Remember how disciples were having a hard time understanding when Jesus was preparing them for his death, He said: o   "A little while and you will no longer see me, and again a little while later and you will see me." So some of his disciples said to one another, "What does this mean that he is saying to us, 'A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me,' and 'Because I am going to the Father'?" So they said, "What is this 'little while' of which he speaks? We do not know what he means." Well, now another “little while” is underway – from Ascension to Pentecost – now his risen PRESENCE will be made visible in a new way – by the Holy Spirit. Now comes the age of the Holy Spirit – this age we are now living in. Today we need to ask that same question: “… what does all this mean, for the Church and for me? Jesus is ALIVE, Jesus is PRESENT. Do you realize Jesus’ PRESENCE in your life now? Is He real to you here or still far, far, away – in China? This is a grace, the gift of the Holy Spirit – we don’t make it happen – but we ask for it to happen.