Thursday 17 May 2012

Background

The closing verses of today's passage from Luke, resemble thefading shots of a love film or the last paragraphs of a love storysuch as, the last time the time-traveller husband leaves his wifein the book of that title. Or the shots in Titanic as the loversride in the bow of the ship just before it goes down. Or the storyin Brokeback Mountain. Here are snapshots of couples secure intheir love for one another, enjoying that love even though theyknow it is fatal.

We read today how the disciples returned to Jerusalem, "with greatjoy" after Christ has parted from them. How can that joy bereal?

At times of separation or change, I have found that the best thingto do to overcome feelings of such loss and loneliness, can oftenbe to busy myself. If the job that I then do is also required or isexpected by others this helps me to feel valued and still feel asthough I belong.

Christ has explained to the disciples what is happening to him andcharges them to go and wait until they are in receipt of the powerof the Holy Spirit and then to go and offer forgiveness to all. Hehas given them a job to do that is expected of them by God andindeed, himself. The disciples have a mission in life - all is notgone, separation does not mean emptiness. They will still be lovedand still be needed by God to be, 'witnesses to it all'.

Today, Ascension Day, could be seen as the end - the final partingin our love affair with Christ. But God has no other feet andhands, hearts and minds, but ours as those in Christ. We believethat God is in everything, not hidden in the clouds or some otherremote idyll but with us wherever we are.

So maybe today is the beginning of the rest of our lives!

To Ponder

What have you done or are going to do, for Christtoday?