The Ascension of the Lord

In the first reading, we heard our lector proclaim:
“After his suffering, Jesus presented himself alive to the apostles
by many convincing proofs,
appearing to them during the forty days
and speaking about the kingdom of God.”

Convincing proofs.  What convincing proofs have you seen over the past 40-some days of Easter feasting and rejoicing that helps you and I know that Christ rose from the dead?  None of us were with Mary Magdalene and Peter by the tomb.  None of us were with “Doubting Thomas” and the other apostles in the Upper Room.  None of us were walking with Cleopas and his wife on the way to Emmaus.

So what convincing proof do we have?  Saint Leo the Great, a 5^th Century pope, preached a homily on this feast of the Ascension, in which he said:  “What was once VISIBLE in our Redeemer has passed over into SIGNS.”  What was once obvious and visible to the apostles and disciples of Jesus 2000 years ago, namely the Crucifixion, the Resurrection, the Ascension, and Pentecost, has passed over into SIGNS.

And for anyone who studied from the Baltimore Catechism, we know that when we hear the word “SIGNS” we should automatically think “SACRAMENTS.”  So what convincing signs and proofs have we seen here at Christ Our Hope this Easter Season?  By my counting:

• 3 baptisms, with a 4^th next Sunday
• 8 people were Confirmed with the Holy Spirit
• 12 people received their first communion
• We’ve already had 1 wedding, and many of our engaged couples are here at Mass today

What further signs of Easter life?  Well, besides those 12 first communions, each Sunday there’s a lot 2nd Communions, 3^rd Communions, 101^st Communions.  This past week I pulled out my Microsoft Excel and tried to figure out how many times I’ve received the resurrected life and joy and hope of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, and I figure today must be around my 1001^st First Communion.  What number is it for you?  And how has that SIGN been convincing proof that Christ is alive?  And what difference has it made in your life?

Instead of quoting a 5^th Century pope, let me quote our current Pope.  Pope Francis challenges Catholic Christians in his Apostolic Letter “The Joy of the Gospel”:

“There are Christians whose lives seem like Lent without Easter. I realize of course that joy is not expressed the same way at all times in life, especially at moments of great difficulty.  Joy adapts and changes, but it always endures, even as a flicker of light born of our personal certainty that, when everything is said and done, we are infinitely loved.”

Are we living lives filled with joy and hope because of the Resurrected Christ which we received first in baptism, and each Sunday in the Eucharist?

Father Paul actually invited me to preach this Sunday to talk about one sign in particular.  He invited me to preach after attending my 20^th or so baptismal preparation session.  We discussed amongst ourselves how excellent it would be if everyone had a chance to attend a baptismal prep session, and reflect on the signs and meaning of baptism in our own lives. 

Martin Luther wrote in his catechism “In Baptism every Christian has enough to study and to practice all his/her life.”  I firmly believe this.  At our baptism prep sessions, in just two hours, we discuss the meaning of water (and how it gives live and causes death, how it cleanses and how it nourishes); we talk about death and resurrection—and why the baptismal ritual begins with a very ignominious and shameful Sign of the Cross on an infant’s forward; we talk about the “x-rated” rite of blessing water at the Easter Vigil; we talk about the symbols of oil and candles and white garments; we talk about why baptisms are held on Sundays and during the Sunday Mass; we talk about why we love to celebrate baptisms during the Easter Season; we talk about Original Sin—yes, we still talk about Original Sin; we talk about how baptism is the great and radical equalizer, and that because of baptism, as St. Paul says “there’s no longer Jew or Greek, slave or free, woman or man”—we’re all brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus; we talk about why our font in our church is designed the way it is, by the doors of the church, specifically with 3 steps, and facing the altar.

And finally, we talk about how baptism changes us and sends us forth on a specific mission, as priests, as prophets, and as kings.

In today’s first reading, Jesus says to the apostles “YOU will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon YOU; and YOU will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  Friends, if you think Jesus was just talking to only the 11 Apostles…or maybe just future bishops, priests and deacons, I have bad news for you.  When Jesus said “YOU” he means “YOU.”  You and I.

In the second reading, St. Paul prayed that “the God of our Lord Jesus Christ [will] give YOU a Spirit of wisdom and revelation as YOU come to know God.”  Friends, if you think Paul was just speaking to the church in Ephesus, I have good news for you.  When St. Paul said “YOU” he means “YOU.”  You and I.

And in the gospel, when Jesus said to the disciples gathered on the mountaintop “GO and make disciples all nations, baptize them and teach them to obey everything I have commanded YOU”—you guessed it, he’s talking to you and me.  Not just the original apostles, not just those ordained by a bishop. 

Each one of us, because of our baptism, when anointed with Sacred Chrism is anointed as a priest—someone who makes things holy and special, and someone who has a spirit of sacrifice at home and at work.  Each one of us, because of our baptism, when anointed with Sacred Chrism is anointed as a prophet—someone who teaches and instructs, who comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable.  (I also lead first communion prep, and I can tell you, 2^nd graders understand the role of being a prophet in their schools and their homes; they tell the truth; and if 7 year olds can do it in their schools, so can you and I.)  Finally, each of us, because of our baptism, when anointed with Sacred Chrism is anointed as a king—someone who leads and guides and serves with love and charity.

[For our community members who’ve just completed our first year of JustFaith, you especially have immersed yourself in your baptismal mission of being a priest, prophet and king.  We look forward to your service in our community, and please challenge the rest of us in our baptismal mission.]

There is the one Sunday a year, instead of reciting the Apostles Creed or the Nicene Creed, we recite our parish’s mission statement.  That’s today, our parish feast day.  As we recommit ourselves to worship, justice, service, and evangelization, to being a Beacon of Light in downtown Seattle, let us remember our own baptisms, let us remember that we’re all priests, prophets, and kings; that we’re all being sent with God’s love, God’s wisdom, God’s power, strengthened by the Eucharist, to be God’s witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth; yes, even downtown Seattle.

Chuck Middendorf
Volunteer Parish Liturgist