Ascension Thursday (29 May 2014)

[__01__]   In many scientific endeavors, the measurement of distance is important.   

This is true whether a person happens to be astronomer gazing at the stars, or the apostle gazing at the ascension and departure of our Savior.

The scientist does not simply want to identify that there is a planet or a star. He or she also wants to know how far away it is. With telescopes, light waves, radio waves, the scientist measures exactly.

Now, of course, we might wonder – or ask – is this mileage or calculation a useful number, useful data?

Very few of us – even very few pilots – will ever climb to such an altitude or distance beyond our own planet.

Nevertheless, these distances are measured -- and the distances are useful – even if we were never to leave the surface of the earth.

The distance, for example, of the sun to the earth indicates important characteristics of our climate.

The distance between the earth and the moon is important for the gravitational pull and ocean waves. Recall that during Hurricane Sandy in 2012, the tidal surge was greater due to a full moon phase.  

An exact distance – even over the course of hundreds of thousands of miles – is important information.

[__02__]        What we read in the Gospel of the Feast of the Ascension – on Ascension Thursday – 40 days since Easter Sunday – is the calculation, the estimation of certain disciples by the disciples of Galilee.

They are gazing into the sky. (cf. Acts 1:11)

Perhaps, they are similar to Philip the Apostle at the Last Supper, wondering how to get to the place to which Jesus had gone. 

Jesus himself had said, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and take you to myself so that where I am you also may be.” (John 14:3)

Philip was wondering where – how far away – this place would be.

[__03__]   The distance between oneself and the Lord is important.

Nevertheless, we also read of the challenge made by the angels to the disciples of Galilee, “why do you look up into the sky?” (cf. Acts 1:11)

[__04__]      Yes, it is important to find Jesus and to know the distance between and ourselves and our Savior.

However, this distance, is not measured in miles, kilometers, or light years.

Jesus, though having ascended to the Father, is not in a galaxy far, far away.

[__05__]     We are called to ask and to examine ourselves, to understand the distance that may exist between ourselves and the Lord because of our own journeys and travels.

Consider … my or your –

SPEED – traveling faster might seem more productive. But we should also ask ourselves – are we being hasty? Prudent? In which direction am I headed?

COMFORT – having comfort – on a journey is preferable to not having comfort. First Class is better than economy, is it not? Yet, at the same time, we also might ask if our comfort level also places us at a spiritual disadvantage – or distance.

When we are a bit uncomfortable, sometimes, we are also recognize more clearly God’s ways, God’s route versus my route.

TRAVELING COMPANIONS – with whom I traveling, sharing my journey, my struggles? Do I seek out friendships, relationships with those who are honest? Candid?

Do I accept the word and counsel form someone willing to tell me the truth, even if I would prefer to move a high speed in a different direction or seek a way more comfortable?

Examining our lives, we can also imitate the early disciples, for whom intimacy with our Savior was possible not because they measured a physical distance but because they discovered the nearness and the closeness of the Holy Spirit in their hearts.

[__fin__]