June 2, 2019

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for June 2nd: Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 47; Ephesians 1:15-23; Luke 24:44-53; Theme: Ascension Acts: During the Easter Season, we give little attention to the ascension, when Jesus leaves his disciples. Even thought it is a very important part of our faith journey. What would life be like if Jesus was still present with us? Then it would not be up to us to do the work of Christ. We would get lazy and let Jesus have all of the fun. This is the moment that Jesus has been preparing his disciples for all along – when it would be up to them to carry on the faith. Most times Jesus is depicted as going up to heaven up on a cloud. The disciples stare at a space in the air where they think Jesus went. When Jesus says that he is now with the father. Heaven is a place in the hearts of the faithful, not a place in the sky. Jesus may be invisible as a spirit, but he has not left the earth. He is the life force that puts us in action to make a difference in our world in the here and now. Luke: This reading also tells the story of Jesus going up to heaven. Jesus follows in the footsteps of Moses, Elijah, Enoch, and others who did not die, but were taken up to heaven in bodily form. If Jesus was still here, there would be no need for the comforter, the Holy Spirit. Scripture says that Jesus took them as far as he could go, and then he blessed them. It was that blessing that inspired them to praise God and to continue in the work. How often do we dwell on the things that we have lost in life, and stop in life and refuse to go farther. When we are to be reminded that nothing last forever, things always change, and we have to be willing to move forward from those moments. Grateful for the time that we had, but prepared for the days ahead. Jesus blesses us all, Jesus sends the comforter to us all, Jesus encourages us all to move forward, from whatever it is that puts us in a state of grief and morning. Questions: How do you deal with loss? What encourages you to move forward? What tasks are you called to fulfill while on this earth? How do you know that Jesus’ spirit is still present in this world?