But if you, like me, don't have much prepared for your family feast, it actually seems quite fitting for the day. What a surprise to the disciples it must have been too! And surely it was of much talk and concern for the next 10 days until Pentecost. And so there is plenty of time over the next week to come back to the following readings to teach our children about Jesus return to heaven and his work carried over into eternity. Time for all of us to meditate upon the significance of this part of Christ's story. Luke's account in the Gospel tells us that the disciples' were filled with "great joy." May this time be filled joy and celebration for us too. Christ is now at the right hand of the Father triumphant.
There are times though when we may question the timing of Christ's departure from this earth as the wait for his return grows long to us. But in those moments may the angel's words of promise be a comfort to us:
"This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."
And in those moments may the collect for today give us the right words to pray:
Mercifully give us faith to perceive that, according to his promise, he abides with his Church on earth, even to the end of the ages...
The Readings:
Acts 1:1-11
Psalm 47
or Psalm 93
Ephesians 1:15-23
Luke 24:44-53
Activities:
Grant, we pray, Almighty God, that as we believe your
only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended
into heaven, so we may also in heart and mind there ascend,
and with him continually dwell; who lives and reigns with
you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Our Picnic Based on Traditional Foods for Ascension:
Bird (to remind us of Christ's "Flight" to heaven): Chicken Salad
Bubbly drinks (Since the air rises): sparkling water, soda
Cream-filled pastries (to represent the clouds): Strawberries and Whipped Cream
(Ideas from http://catholiccuisine.blogspot.com/)
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