RBWords

     In 1988, I was a participant, with my dad, in a tour of the Holy Land.  One of the sites we visited was the traditional place accorded to the Ascension of the Lord.  It is on the Mount of Olives and we were shown a rock with an indentation which tradition claims was caused by Jesus' foot as he "ascended."  The experience raises for me the question of the real meaning of the event of the "ascension of the Lord."  On one level, there might be a fascination with the scene, as if Jesus is on some kind of invisible elevator, or, like a helium balloon he just rises till the disciples can't see him anymore!  But the mechanics of the event are not the meaning.  The scene is painted in familiar colors for those who pay attention to the Old Testament roots.  A kind of preview was provided earlier in the Gospel of Luke (who wrote Acts) at the "transfiguration."  There is a mountain and a revelation that recalls Elijah and Moses.  Jesus is seen to be like Moses who receives a revelation on the mountain and like Elijah who, at the end of his life, was "taken up!"  

     However, the "two men dressed in white garments" (same ones from the resurrection narrative?) tell the disciples to stop gawking and get moving.  The story doesn't end with Jesus' departure.  It is only just beginning!  The Holy Spirit is coming and they (we) will become witnesses to the world!   The admonition is relevant because it is directed not just to those who were there that day but to those of us who are here today!  We are all witnesses to what Jesus did and taught!  If all we do is sit in a pew, all of the meaning of the gospel is for naught!  Do we need to be told by "two men dressed in white garments?"  AMEN