Ascension

Thursday May 21 is the fortieth day after Easter, the commemoration of Christ's Ascension. The Ascension is a teaching of Scripture and of the ancient creeds. It marks Jesus' return to His heavenly Father and the completion of His earthly ministry. Yet, somewhat like Epiphany, the Ascension is an often neglected major Christian observance.

Why is Christ's Ascension neglected? One obvious reason is that Ascension Day is a week day, and many modern Christians cannot or will not observe weekday feasts, other than Christmas perhaps. However, since even Ascension Sunday tends to be low-key, I would suggest that there is a less obvious reason as well. That reason is that modernist progressive church leaders and scholars have been uncomfortable with the reality of the Ascension. For the Ascension stresses both the physical aspects of our Lord's Resurrection and the miraculous nature of His descent from and return to the Father's heavenly realm (Acts 1:1-11).

So one thing that orthodox Christians can do is to stress the reality and factual importance of Christ's Ascension. It is a major event in the series that includes the Annunciation, Incarnation, Passion and Resurrection. The Ascension is also an event which points toward Pentecost. As Christ tells His followers more than once in the "Farewell Discourses" in the Gospel according to St. John, His return to the Father will lead to a new and powerful working of God the Holy Spirit among them. Christ's return to heaven means that the mission of His disciples can become less local and more universal.

Christ's Ascension also means that His followers everywhere have a heavenly mediator and intercessor at the right hand of the Father. From heaven, our Lord Jesus Christ watches over us in all places and at all times. He intercedes for our physical, mental and spiritual well-being and our eternal salvation. His Ascension reminds us of all that He has done and is doing to pour His grace into our lives. Alleluia. Christ our Lord has ascended into heaven;  O come, let us adore him. Alleluia!