The Challenge of the Ascension

My favorite depiction of the Ascension of Christ is by the German painter Hans Süss von Kulmbach. All we see of Christ are his feet dangling from the top of the frame as he ascends; I am amazed that the disciples below were able to stifle the urge to jump up and grab his ankles — either to try to pull him back down to earth or catch an express flight to heaven! Only Mary has her hand half lifted, as if to wave goodbye to this son of hers who is always flitting off somewhere.

In his book The Holy Longing, Ronald Rolheiser describes the importance of ascension in the paschal cycle. After an experience of death and the reception of new life, we undergo a time of readjustment to the new and grieving the old, but then we must let go of the old so we can receive a new spirit for the new life we are already living. The challenge of ascension for us is this: “Do not cling to the old, let it ascend and give you its blessing.”

Although Jesus’ disciples often didn’t understand what he was trying to teach them, it appears that they trusted Jesus’ promise that his Spirit would always be with them, because they didn’t try to cling to him as he ascended. We, too, are challenged to trust that when we let go of the things that die, no matter how much we loved them, we will receive a new spirit of life that will bring us joy, purpose, and wisdom. May we follow the example of Jesus’ first disciples in supporting each other in our grief and periods of readjustment and trusting that we will receive the new spirit that has been promised to us.