Scripture:
Reflection:
The Church of Jesus with Signs Following!
The daily readings for this week speak of Church building: the home of Lydia, a prosperous dealer in woven and dyed cloth becomes the house church of Philippi. We can see her at the loom weaving a new Church into creation. Paul speaks eloquently in Athens, but with no tangible results. He goes then to Corinth where working with Aquila and Priscilla over time, a solid community is established before he moves on.
In the diocese where I live we celebrate the Ascension today, most will celebrate Sunday. The celebration today fits well today with the theme of Church building, the work and response to the Spirit’s invitation, and being witnesses to the ends of the earth.
A mother due to give birth later this summer reflects about the natural world as an orderly liturgical procession for a feast day, a day like the Ascension. ‘Crocus acolytes lead the forsythia choir, followed by the shrubbery deacons, azalea to lilac, attending the fay and jolly magnolia, cloaked in the finest vestments, spun with white and gold thread’.
She goes beyond seeing the colorful display of life in nature adding that she was born into a sacramental world of initiation, healing, and vocation. In the quiet times of life there is always something to celebrate, the ordinary is packed with feast days. Nature is partnered with the cycle of the sacraments, and together help us to see ourselves with such hope, with dignity and beauty. This expectant mother ends by saying that next spring she will see the spring differently, along side her child, another witness to the Resurrection.
Augustine as poet speaks of the gifts that are ours in Jesus, ‘The one who made us has become one of us; the Ruler of the stars nursed at a mother’s breast. Yes, he became one of us – Bread hungered, Drink thirsty…’ At the heart of the Church is the Eucharist, Jesus present with us; the Way, the Truth and the Life, Healer. Each of these gifts are given through suffering, something not foreign to nature, even beautiful nature. When Adam slept Eve was given life. Bone of my Bone, he said. On the Cross the New Adam gave birth from his wounded side to the New Eve, the Church, His Body.
The Ascension shows us the Risen Lord enthroned in glory, now watching over us. We are to be witnesses to the ends of the earth and the Holy Spirit is with us, our companion and guide. We are laden with the surprises and gifts that Jesus gives us to bring life into the world. We do this often with suffering, which ought not surprise us, that is what Jesus endured, what a mother giving birth endures. It is our price that we pay so stand with others as witnesses of the Resurrection.
Pushed from the nest by the loving, nurturing Spirit to soar like the eagle, may the indescribable wonder/thunder of the Ascension shake us to a witness that comes from our oneness with Jesus, our desire for the Father.
Fr. William Murphy, CP is a member of Immaculate Conception Community in Jamaica, New York.