Ascension Day

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ Matthew 28:16-20

I think it might be hard to imagine a dear friend vanishing into the sky. Minimally one would be terrified, panic and run away. Leaving a loved one, by any circumstances is hard, and folks departing in death is even harder. These disciples have witnessed his death and resurrection, which would have been heartbreaking and terrifying enough. And here, Jesus takes terror one step further by vanishing into the heavens. What strikes me is how clear they heard his words, his directions to them, despite the panic and terror of the moment. Too often, the words remembered are make disciples of all nations, although he asked them to remember "I am with you always, to the end of the age." We love taking his words as direction to dominate and control the world, but not to remember that he is with us always. His ways are present and real to us, even if we try to ignore them. We cannot teach and baptize without knowing and loving them as Jesus loves them. We cannot think we are in charge, because the Son of God is with us always. 

Loving Creator, your first priority is healing love

knowing us each by name and being present here

so we might carry your love and healing to others.

Lord Jesus, before you ascended you promised

to be with us in every challenging moment

and we are to be humble as we go through each.

Help us Lord not to judge our neighbors

rather give us strength and humility to love

as you loved and as you walk with us today. Amen.