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I love Ascension
Day, I really do, always have and Im assuming always will.
Not just because
I grew up in a country where its a public holiday, so no school, and a long
weekend, though granted that is a major perk! Not just because when I was
living in London, Ascension Day evening meant live radio broadcastinf from the
service at St Martins in the Fields. Not just because its one of the Big Four
(Christmas, Easter, Ascension, Pentecost) and therefore simply part and parcel
of the Church year. Not just because after Easter we still get days off,
hurrah!!
Its because on
a Ascension Day it feels as if we get a day to organise, to step back and view
the events and take stock.
While at
Christmas Heaven came down to Earth, on Ascension Day Earth is lifted up to
Heaven; and when Jesus ascends (lifts off, takes off, flies home, whichever),
once again its God who is taking the initiative.
Jesus goes to
prepare many homes for many peoples, Ascension Day is a very inclusive feast in
a way that perhaps the Incarnation of Christmas and the Resurrection of Easter
theologically not always are.
Jesus is our
very own, very personal High Priest, this is our feast; Ascension Day is very
individual that way, while at the same time of course its for everyone.
In the movement
theres also a call and reminder for us, especially as Lutherans: keep moving,
keep celebrating, keep going, keep reforming (semper reformanda)... it doesnt stop, there is more out there and
not in a scary X-Files way.
With Jesus
returning to the Father, everything falls into place, everything is put right
and back in its place. Gods in His heaven alls well with the world (Robert
Browning). It feels as if order is restored, a bit like the order that overcame
the chaos at Creation; Ascension Day gives a place, puts in the right place, in
the right perspective the new creation of Easter. First we couldnt go there,
now we will!
And still...
even now... theres still more to come, God still has more in store...
Ever noticed how most
of the Church calendar exists out of waiting periods?
28-05-2014, 23:53 geschreven door jojanv 
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