[Luke writes:] In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. “This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
Reflection:
"What are YOU looking at?" --I am sure we have all heard this at least a few (hundred) times! It is so easy to be paying attention to the wrong thing. Sure it can be a bad thing or perhaps a bit embarrassing, but it is not something you want to hear from two men in white robes. If they can keep their robes so clean and white, you don't want to mess with them! Clearly they are also powerful because Ascension Day comes before Memorial Day, and they are daring to wear white! (Yes, 1930's, you can have your class based rule back.)
I wonder if the power and primacy of this passage and this day are too often missed. Distracted, confused, or just plain missing the point, don't we often stare off where God was? Yes, certainly it is understandable that they were watching Jesus float up into heaven with their incredulous looks and gaping mouths. BUT, Jesus had given a directive--"You will be my witnesses..." The words of mission and purpose to them carry through to us. "YOU will be a witness for Jesus." You, a disciple, go make disciples. No, it does nothing to keep looking on. Nothing is happening there any more. God is now working IN you. The body of Jesus left so that we wouldn't be lazily loving God's presence. God invites us to put our love and devotion to work, to the test, to the job at hand around us. We don't wait for God to act. We are in the part of our spiritual education where God has said, "There, now you do it."
As I write this, the mass shooting of a class of Fourth Graders and two school staff in Uvalde still weighs heavy on my heart. Clearly, we have not done enough to keep our children safe. How now do we, do YOU witness to keeping these little ones that Jesus entrusts into our care safe? I know they are not geographically near us, but it could just have easily happened here at Fairview, Fishing Creek, Hillside, Highland, Newberry, Red Mill, Rossmoyne, Washington Heights, or... Elementary Schools.
Leaders in the media that are calling for gun safety and help for troubled teens are both right. Mental health and gun safety are both areas of massive need! Volunteer and speak up. Give love and share kindness.
It makes no sense to have more safety laws on cars than guns--cars are made to move people and dangerous things might happen. Guns are made to kill. Another big statistic not obvious in this school shooting is that guns are most commonly misused in suicide. I wonder if that wasn't the intended end for Salvador, "suicide by cop."
Dear Jesus,
We lament with the families of Uvalde and all those affected by mas shootings. This grief and pain is sharp and it clings heavily and without end. We turn to you, our Risen and Ascended Lord, you defeated death and show us life and love. We are thankful for your embrace and your tears with us. We praise you for your eternal promise to catch, keep, and rescue that none are lost to you. We lift before you those who have died... We remember them in your love and trust in your promise to be reunited with them, looking forward to that day. Give us patience and peace in troubled times. Unite us in our concern for one another. Let the wisdom of careful logic and cooler heads prevail in longer term considerations. Teach us to better teach and share what it means to love and care for one another. Guide us to be a richer and more connected community for one another. In your precious Name, we pray. Amen.
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