Fr Peter Helman

“Jesus withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven.” (Acts 24:51)
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Dear friends,

The Feast of the Ascension is one of seven principal Holy Days in the church’s yearly calendar. We read briefly about the Ascension this morning in our lesson from the Gospel of St Luke, and you’ll remember from Luke’s second work, the Acts of the Apostles, which is a continuation of his gospel, that he describes the event further.

“As they were watching, Jesus 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 asked, “Why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven will come again in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:9-11)

The Church commemorates the feast 40 days after Easter Sunday, when Luke says the Ascension occurred. This year the feast fell on May 21.

Now after many weeks, I like to think we read of the Ascension again this morning because our hearts need rekindling. Throughout his life, Christ's love burnt intensely, directed towards the heart of heaven, like a brilliant fire that eventually consumed him. And just as flame naturally burns upward, so he ascended in that fiery ascent to God, as the prophet Elijah had before him astride flaming horses. This same flame catches within our hearts upwards. During the Eucharistic prayer, Christ entreats us, "Lift up your hearts," and we respond, "We lift them up unto the Lord."

You’ll remember the words of the Apostle,

“So, if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:1-2).

And, again,

“Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4:8).

Every day is Ascension Day. Christ our God ascended into heaven, so let our hearts this day ascend with him.

Yours in Christ,

—Peter+