The Ascension of the Lord

A Painful Goodbye Turned to Joy?

The Ascension of the Lord is a mystery to most of us. Even though Jesus has given hints of his going away, this must have been difficult and painful for his followers.

Jesus is “lifted” from the presence of the disciples to be at the right hand of the Father.  According to Ron Rolheiser, “the Ascension names and highlights a paradox that lies deep at the center of life, namely, that we all reach a point in life where we can only give our presence more deeply by going away, so that others can receive the full blessing of our spirits.”

Think of what that means for us today. Many of our children are graduating from high school and preparing to “leave home.” While we celebrate their achievements, we are already thinking of what life will be like without them. We tend to cling to them. Others of us are burying loved ones and wondering what life will be like without them. How can we live as adult orphans?

When Jesus was preparing to leave this earth he kept repeating the words: “It is better for you that I go away! You will be sad now, but your sadness will turn to joy. If I don’t go away you will be unable to receive my spirit. Don’t cling to me, I must ascend.”

Why is it better sometimes that we go away? What is that spirit that makes itself known only in the absence of the one we love? Read more here: http://www.liturgy.slu.edu/AscensionA2017/reflections_rolheiser.html

Send us your Spirit, Lord! Turn our sorrow to joy, even in leave-taking!