This Sunday we remember the Ascension – the story of how Jesus takes his last walk, lives his last moments in his physical, embodied being – albeit a post resurrection embodiment.
After forty days of appearing to (and also disappearing from) the disciples and the wider group of his followers, of meeting and eating and talking and walking and breathing out peace, he is lifted away from them until they can no longer see him.
The lectionary readings offer us two versions of this story, both from the pen of Luke, so you might like to dwell with the subtle differences you notice between the two accounts and ponder what you notice – what nuance might Luke have been trying to convey in each one? What difference do the differences make for you?
Or you may find you are more drawn to one of the other readings this week, or some other aspect of the Luke/Acts texts – wherever you find your resonance or your question rising is a good place to pause and wait.
The readings are here.
or you can listen to them here
As you journey through this week, which may begin to feel much more like a normal life week, you might find it helpful to write out the phrase or word that catches your attention and put it on a sticky note…by the kettle….on the inside of your wardrobe door….on your computer screen….on your dashboard…on the inside of your front door. This way, your word can take you by surprise every now and then during the day, or help you to remember to journey with the text and to open to the Spirit’s voice anew in everyday living.
Ascending order
The story of the ascension appears to confirm a view of the world that is like a layer cake. This is known as the three tiered world view where heaven is above, earth is in the middle and hell is below. We know these are not physical realities, although our ancestors didn’t know this.
It is easy to assume that this three layered understanding of the world is part and parcel of the what we accept when we come to faith, and although we know that this is not a physical reality, it is not hard to find proof texts in the scripture (like the ones in the lectionary readings) that seem to indicate it is a spiritual reality.
But if we accept this three layered universe, it becomes all too easy to assign God to heaven above, watching what goes on below, occasionally intervening but more often not. This model of reality is about separation and isolation. We find ourselves continually asking God to be with us – as if God is elsewhere. We make spaces that are special and set aside where we meet and visit with God – as if the whole of creation weren’t brimming with God’s life and humming the tune of love’s desire for us. And we make spaces where God never goes and can never be found – hell on earth and hell below.
The thread of our intimate connection with God, and of God’s presence with us and with every thing also weaves through the scriptures (psalm 139 is an obvious example), and it has also been woven into the fabric of the Christian tradition through the witness of the Celtic church and the Eastern orthodox church. These traditions recognise that the whole world and all of creation lives, moves and has being in and through the presence of God. We live in a Christ soaked world.
The three tiered universe is not a world view that is shared across all of Christian witness, and it is not the only world view that is offered by the witness of scripture.
So.
If this is the way you have understood the shape of God’s world, then you may find the idea of a Christ soaked world threatening. The order of the three tiered universe can offer a sense of safety, but it limits God and it limits you.
If you have been noticing the limitations of this view, then you may be relieved to find that there is an alternative that is liberating….
Over the week ahead, I invite you to be an observer and simply notice whatever response you have, and then I invite you to be a curious host, welcoming the fear, anger, resistance, relief, laughter, excitement – or whatever. These reactions can show you how you really see God and yourself and the world, so listen, watch and learn. You are in safe hands – God is with you.
