Ascension: May 28/29, 2022

Today’s feast of the Ascension is both a celebration of ABSENCE and one of PRESENCE.  Let me explain.
    The disciples had already lost Jesus once – when he died on the cross spending three days in the tomb to break the chains of death and gaining for us eternal life.
    On the first day of the week, when his faithful followers found the tomb empty – St. Matthew said they were filled with both fear and great joy.
    St. Mark said that trembling and astonishment came upon those who went to the tomb.


    St. Luke says the women came from the tomb frightened and when they told their story their words seemed to be an idle tale - and the Apostles did not believe.
    And St. John said the disciples, upon viewing the empty tomb, simply went back home.
    It took them a while to overcome their fear, and trembling, and fright, and astonishment – and then all were filled with joy upon having Jesus back in their midst.
    But now he was leaving again.  And this time they knew it was for good.  And so as with any great loss in life – a feeling of grief set in.
    Perhaps they expressed their grief in a way like the author of this poem does:

    I miss you in the morning.
    When all the world is new.
I know the day can bring no joy – because it brings not you.
    I miss the well-loved voice of yours - and your tender smile for me.
    The charm of you, the joy of your unfailing love.

    The world is full of folks, it’s true, but there was only one of you.

    I miss you at the noontide, too.
The crowded streets seem but a desert now, I walk in complete solitude.
    I miss your hand beside my own, the light touch of your hand.  
    The quick gleam in the eyes of you so sure to understand.

    The world is full of folks, it’s true, but there was only one of you.

    I miss you in the evening - when daylight fades away.
    I miss the sheltering arms of you, to rest me from the day.
    I try to think I see you yet – there where the fire gleams –
Weary at last, I sleep, and still I miss you in my dreams.

    The world is full of folks, it’s true, but there was only one of you.


Like any of us who have lost a loved one –    
Jesus would now be physically absent from them.  And they will miss him.  I wonder if anyone said such things to them as:
    -Well, he’s in a better place.
    -Or it was God’s will that he was taken.
    -Or to Mary:  well at least you had him for 33 years.
    -Or God won’t give you anything you can’t handle.
    While meaning well, most such trite sayings do little to lessen anyone’s pain.
The absence of anyone we have loved allows the feelings of grief to set in.  And sometimes that grief can be so overwhelming, it can cripple us.

    But we know the rest of the disciple’s story.  They did not remain in their grief very long.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit – they began to do what Jesus told them to do – to go out and witness to others the Good News of his life and message.
    In that way, the disciples must have been like the woman in this story:
    Once a widow’s son died in a tragic accident.  The woman, crazy with grief, mourned the loss so deeply that no one could provide her with comfort.
    At last a friend took her to a holy man where she made her sobbing plea: 
 “Use your powers to bring my son back to me.  Surely you are able by prayer or through some means to induce the Almighty to lighten my grief.”
    The old man spoke kindly to the woman.  “Bring me a mustard seed from a home that has never known sorrow.  Then I will use that seed to remove the pain from your life.”


    Immediately the woman set out in search of the magic mustard seed.  “First, I will visit the home of a wealthy family,” she thought.  “Tragedy is less likely to strike them.”
    Soon she approached a beautiful mansion, knocked on the door, and spoke to the woman who greeted her:  “I am in search of a home that has never known sorrow.  Is this such a place?  Please, it is vital that I know.”
    “Never known sorrow!”, cried the woman who had answered the door. “You have come to the wrong house.”
    As she sobbed she began to describe all of the tragedies that had touched her family.  She invited the widow into her home to explain in greater detail what had taken place.  
The widow remained in the home for several hours – listening and showing compassion.
    When she left to resume her search, the widow visited a modest home about 5 miles away.  The experience was the same.
    Wherever she traveled, from mansion to hut, she was greeted with tales of sadness and sorrow.  Everyone found her a willing and attentive and caring listener.
    After months of travel, she became so involved with the grief of others – that she forgot about her search for the magic mustard seed, never realizing that it had indeed driven the sorrow from her own life.
    
    When the disciples did what Jesus did – and said what Jesus said – they made his spirit present – and their grief was turned to joy.
    We followers of Jesus Christ today – are called to do nothing more – and nothing less.
    And so in the coming days, we should pray:  come, Holy Spirit – empower us as you did the Apostles.
    

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