Up, up but not away!

In this gorgeous Flemish miniature from the second half of the fifteenth century we see Jesus ascending to his Father in heaven.

God the Father is ready for him and greets him with a blessing, indicating to his Son the place he is to occupy. The throne at his right hand is ready for Jesus to take his rightful place in his kingdom.

The four disciples are in positions of wonder, prayer and praise. They look so humbled by this amazing experience and lift their eyes heavenward as they glimpse the glory of God. Their hands are in the traditional positions of obedience and supplication.

Jesus approaches God in a position of humility, the prodigal (although without sin) returns to the Father with a gesture of openness and willingness. He opens his hands to receive the kingdom from the Father. The one to whom all power in heaven and on earth has been given, now receives the fullness of his authority.

There are no fireworks here though, no hosts of angels, no massed choirs of heaven. Jesus is taken to heaven on the wispiest of clouds. This is a tremendously gentle and affectionate image of love, reunion and of course, for the disciples, loss.

But the thing I love is the footprints on the rock! We see the imprint of the one who walked this earth and called us to follow him. They are like a hallmark, a sign of his everlasting presence, and not only of his presence, but the quality of that presence. Jesus told us that he had to leave in order to allow the sending of the Holy Spirit. In the simple depiction of the footprints of the Lord we are reminded that he walks this earth still. He dwells with us. He will be with us, yes, to the end of time.

Lord, as we celebrate the feast of your Ascension, help us to be ever more aware of your presence in our lives. Direct us to walk in your footsteps, to speak your words and to bring forth your love and compassion to all we meet. You, who are the Way, the Truth and the Life. Amen.

Come Holy Spirit

'When Pentecost day came round, they had all met together, when suddenly there came from heaven a sound as of a violent wind which filled the entire house in which they were siting; and there appeared to them tongues as of fire; these separated and came to rest on the head of each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak different languages as the Spirit gave them power to express themselves.'

Acts 2: 1-4

Duccio's deceptively simple depiction of one of the most significant moments in the life of the Church has much to teach us about how we are to be as 'Pentecost People'.

The apostles are huddled in the upper room, frightened and anxious, afraid of what is going to happen. How often have we hidden ourselves away in our own anxiety, not sure of the next move? The Holy Spirit descends on them and rests above each of their heads as small tongues of fire. Their haloes blaze as a single unit of light. They are no longer a group of individuals but will act as a community of faith. They are all barefooted. When Moses witnessed the burning bush he removed his shoes. Duccio shows the apostles' reverence in the presence of the power of God. There's a lot of gesturing going on. 'What's happening?' "Who, me?' 'What now?' Still uncertain of how to proceed they allow the Holy Spirit to show them the way. The book in one of their hands and the scrolls others hold look tightly bound. The Word of God is about to be released and translated to the whole world. To help the apostles to do this, the door to the room where they are hiding has been broken open. Mary presides serenely over the event, her hands raised in a symbol of wonder and reassurance.

The Holy Spirit calls each of us to be witnesses to the Word in our own lives and in our own time. This fills us with trepidation when we think we have to do it alone, but rather than hiding away in fear, with his grace and power and under his guidance, we really can change the world.