Ascension Day

“So when they had come together, they asked him, ’Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He replied, ’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 out 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? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.’”

Acts 1:6-11

The Feast of the Ascension is celebrated on the Thursday between the sixth and seventh Sundays of Easter. Ascension Day is not always celebrated in a big way in the Church. It is a feast day that always falls mid-week. It is after the glorious celebration of Easter and just 10 days before Pentecost.

There are many pieces of art that depict the ascension of Jesus, usually showing His feet just below the clouds as He ascends into heaven. Some of these works also show footprints on the earth. That detail is not explicitly described in the Scriptures, but we know that Jesus left His mark on us, just as His feet would have left footprints in the earth where He stood.

And the two men in white robes asked the question, “…why do you stand looking up toward heaven?” This question makes me think that they have work they need to do. Jesus had given them their marching orders, so to speak, that also apply to us. We are to go out to be His witnesses in the world, to the ends of the Earth, until He comes in the same way as they saw Him go into heaven.

Collect for Ascension Day

Grant, we pray, Almighty God, that as we believe your only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended into heaven, so we may also in heart and mind there ascend, and with him continually dwell; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer, page 226)