Yesterday was Ascension Day, one of the great festivals of the Christian church yet often overlooked. Maybe because it's middle of the week, and people are busy with their everyday lives. (It's always a Thursday because it's 40 days after Easter - the period between the Resurrection and Jesus' return to heaven.) Time was when this was a public holiday, and not so long ago our church schools took it as a day off. It appears that the Catholic church has admitted defeat on this: at one of our services yesterday there was a 'rebel' (her word) Catholic, who wanted to keep the day but said she had come as a kind of protest since in her church the Ascension was being observed on Sunday.
Somehow, having a Christian festival not on a Sunday invites us to consider what determines our priorities. If we really shape our lives around the Christian story, would we not want to ensure that work and other commitments at least include these landmarks in the Christian year? I'm not suggesting a day off - but at least early morning or evening worship if at all possible.
We had four services yesterday, in our different churches! I was reflecting on the disciples' joy as they returned to Jerusalem after Jesus had left them. Why joy? Why not sorrow at the parting? Why not apprehension at the mission with which he had commissioned them? I suggested 3 reasons:
- Jesus trusted them with his own work. He had confidence in them, and had trained them well.
- Jesus blessed them (I'd love to know what he actually said by way of blessing). How affirming is that?
- Jesus opened the door to heaven, reminding them that their life's journey would end not in death but in a heavenly home.
I won't repeat here yesterday's sermon! But I think we can find joy in these things too.
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