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Greetings!
Over the last few months, various news sources have presented the dire warnings of four prophets of doom -- the French seer, Nostradamus, Bulgarian mystic, Baba Vanga, Brazilian psychic Athos Salomé and London hypnotherapist, Nicolas Aujula. Publications as diverse as The New York Post, The Greek Reporter, The Economic Times, The Irish Examiner and The Times of India have all run features regarding supposed approaching calamities; these include natural catastrophes, global conflicts, plagues and the threat posed by a giant asteroid. Such predictions --especially when they make similar claims-- are enough to strike terror into the most skeptical of readers. If you Google "Prophets of Doom for 2025," you can read all the disturbing details; at the same time, however, you will find a surprising caution offered by AI:
"It's worth noting that while these predictions can be alarming, they also serve as a reminder of the importance of global cooperation and proactive efforts to address potential threats."
As Christians, we believe in the power of the Holy Spirit. We are not powerless victims enduring some predetermined fate; rather, with the right resolve, preparation and cooperation, we can be agents of change --or, dare I say, transformation? This means spiritual discipline and thinking/acting globally rather than merely locally. The Spirit Jesus promised to send his disciples has descended upon us as well as them; though Jesus may no longer be with us physically, yet he has not left us orphans. "Clothed with power from on high," we have all the resources we need to work towards peace and justice, solve seemingly insurmountable problems and live in harmony with one another. All that is lacking is the collective will.
Many Blessings,
Elizabeth
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SCRIPTURE READINGS
Jesus said to his disciples:
“It is written that the Christ will suffer
and rise from the dead on the third day
and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins,
will be preached in his name
to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
You are witnesses of these things.
And behold I am sending the promise of my Father upon you;
but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
Then he led them out as far as Bethany and,
raising his hands, blessed them.
As he blessed them he parted from them
and was taken up to heaven.
They worshipped him
and then, with great joy, returned to Jerusalem,
where they were continually in the temple praising God.
Luke 24:46-53
It is interesting that only Luke and Mark refer to Jesus' Ascension. Matthew's Gospel ends with the commissioning of the disciples, while John's Gospel ends with the commissioning of Peter. Moreover, the reference in Mark is brief and forms part of a longer ending that was most likely not part of the original text. I mention this because it is Luke's Gospel account, along with the narrative in Acts1:6-12, that has shaped our imaginations and given rise to countless works of art, ranging from an ivory relief of Jesus climbing up to heaven, assisted by God's hand (C.E. 400) to Eastern Rite icons; from paintings by such artists as Giotto, Rembrandt, Hogarth, Constable and Benjamin West to illuminated capitals in medieval manuscripts or a woodcut by Albrecht Dürer.
Regardless of when or where the depictions of the Ascension originated, all distinguish between the heavenly and earthly realms. In many paintings, Jesus ascends on clouds of glory, flanked by angels, while his disciples and his mother look upwards; in some works, all that can be seen of Jesus are his feet, still bearing the nail marks. Some works emphasize Jesus' transcendent radiance while others focus on the disciples' amazement. But while fluffy clouds, cherubic angels and images of Jesus floating upwards may seem dated, yet the various artists have tried to communicate the core message of the Ascension: that the Risen Lord, having accomplished his mission and having fulfilled all the prophecies, now returns to his Father, leaving behind witnesses who will preach in his Name, through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Seen in this light, the Ascension bridges the gap between Resurrection and Pentecost. Though our liturgical calendar places the Ascension forty days after Easter and Pentecost ten days later, the actual time-frame of these events is not essential to understand their meaning. In John's Gospel, for example, Jesus appears to his disciples "on the evening of the first day of the week" after his Crucifixion (Jn 20:19), and it is then that he breathes the Holy Spirit on them and sends them forth. In this narrative, there is no separation between Easter and Pentecost, and the only indication that Jesus will be ascending is his reply to Peter in the Epilogue about the disciple he loves: "What if I want him to remain until I come?"(Jn 21:22). This implies both an approaching departure and a return at some future time-- no doubt the Parousia or Second Coming.
When it comes to understanding Mystery, chronology is not helpful. The time of Kairos or God's Time, cannot be measured in days, weeks or even years; it is neither historical time nor liturgical time, but the right time for God's will to be accomplished. In Luke's account of the Ascension, the disciples are to remain "in the city" for the coming of the Holy Spirit. Jesus doesn't specify how long they are to remain there, but they are to wait. These instructions fill the disciples with joy. Having seen the Risen Lord, they now trust his promises; instead of feeling bereaved when he leaves them physically, they now understand that he will be with them always, even if out of sight. This, perhaps, is our main "take-away." It is not the image of Jesus floating on high that empowers us, but the conviction that he leaves to be more present, and that his seeming absence is, in reality, a deeper intimacy. Just as the disciples waited, preparing themselves for the advent of the Holy Spirit through prayer, so must we wait, attentive to the promptings of that Spirit that blows where it wills, calling each of us to be bearers of the Gospel, in our own way and in God's own time.
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For a glimpse of Jesus' journey towards the heavens through art, you may want to visit ArtUK. https://artuk.org/discover/stories/what-is-the-ascension-jesus-heavenward-journey-in-art
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