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The Church of the Epiphany
The word “epiphany” (e-PIFF-an-ee) means “appearance” or “a sudden new understanding of the essential nature of something”. At the Church of the Epiphany, we believe that in Jesus Christ, God has appeared to humanity. Even more...
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One of the great mysteries of the Christian faith is the Ascension, where the evangelist Luke tells us that, after blessing the disciples, “as they were watching, he was lifted up and was taken out of their sight”. (Acts 1:9) Many who seek rational or scientific explanations conclude that the Ascension is unbelievable, the wishful thinking of the early church. However, when we look at what the Ascension affirms, we can see why the Church has believed not only in the Ascension, but in its importance as well.
The Ascension is first of all a transition. After the resurrection, the Gospels record numerous encounters the Risen Jesus had with his disciples, teaching and encouraging them. Then, with the Ascension, he departs, setting the stage for the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost.
Of course, even as a resurrected body, Jesus was only in one place at a time. With the Ascension, no longer is he limited to space and time. Paul tells the Ephesians that he “ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things” (Eph. 4:10) The Ascended Jesus is present in our midst, fulfilling his promise that “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” (Matt. 18:20)
Lastly, the Ascension is a reminder of our destiny as well. The writer of the letter to the Hebrews exhorts us to be “Looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith…who has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb. 12:2) Jesus himself promises us that “where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:3) At the Ascension, Jesus takes his place in the presence of the Father, the Living God. He has led the way for us, with the promise that we too, will at the end of our race find ourselves in God’s Presence.
Even with all this Good News, Ascension is often overlooked in the Church. One reason, I think, is that the Feast of the Ascension is always on a Thursday. Thankfully, we at Epiphany have a wonderful tradition of celebrating the Ascension with an outdoor Eucharist followed by a hot dog supper provided by the Vestry. This year, Ascension Day is May 17th. I hope you will want to be part of the celebration—for it indeed is a day and a reality worth celebrating!
+ Bill Cavanaugh
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