The Feast of the Ascension ends the liturgical singing of “Christ is Risen,” transitioning us from the joys and symbols of Pascha to the anticipation of the Descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. As with the disciples, this transition can be disorienting and distressing for the faithful.
The appointed gospel reading for the Divine Liturgy on this day (John 17:1-13) is Jesus’ priestly prayer before His passion and crucifixion. It seems that much of the content of Jesus’ prayer was intended not only to strengthen the disciples prior to His impending death but also to prepare them for His eventual physical separation from them on Ascension.
As with most departures, those left behind are often filled with sadness, anxiety, and insecurity. This is likely true of the disciples at the time of the Lord’s ascent from earth to heaven. They likely wondered why He was leaving them? Why did He have to ascend? After all, He had risen from the dead and was victorious. His presence among them proved the resurrection. His enemies would now be compelled to believe in Him and to bow down before Him as Lord and King. They sensed victory within their grasp. But Christ did not remain on earth, but rather ascended with the promise to them of sending God’s Spirit. Why didn’t Jesus stay on earth after His glorious resurrection?
The Lord’s mission was never to be an earthly king. He repeatedly told the disciples that His kingdom was not of this world. He taught His followers that they must transition from hearing God’s voice directly from Him to hearing God’s voice in the depths of their hearts from where the promised Holy Spirit would speak. They had to not only trust in what they were physically able to touch and hear, but had to develop faith in the invisible and intangible indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This was true then and remains true for Christians today.
The world around us is troubled and in upheaval, triggering fear and anxiety for many. We live in a state of hyper-vigilance of terrorist attacks and threats of nuclear war. Amidst such fear and suffering, we long for safety, solace, and peace. And while we pray that God’s “will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” we remind ourselves that Christ did not come to establish earthly empires or governmental systems. Although it is often difficult to feel stable, solid, and safe in this unpredictable world, we are nevertheless called to remain steadfast in our faith, remembering that God’s kingdom is not of this world and that ultimate truth and justice cannot be legislated. True liberty dwells not in the decrees of parliaments but rather in human hearts sanctified by God’s Spirit.
Like the disciples after the Lord’s ascension, we must trust that God has not abandoned us. We must believe that God has not forsaken us. We must have faith that no matter what happens around us, God’s providence sustains us. Let us cast off despair as we pray for renewed strength and hope in anticipation of the comforting grace of God’s Holy Spirit on Pentecost.
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