We don’t usually pay much attention to the Ascension. In some other religions, such as Catholicism, the Ascension has particular theological significance. For us, it’s sort of a theological afterthought. Part of this probably stems from the difference in focus — we don’t really discuss how or why he ascended, focusing instead on Jesus’s Atonement in Gethsemane and His Resurrection. And part may stem from our belief that He ascended and descended numerous times over this period, visiting the Nephites in America.
But whether or not it has much theological significance, the Ascension is an undeniably wonderful event, with the great image of the two angels, asking the apostles why they are gazing into heaven. As we read in Acts:
And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
Happy ascension day, everyone!
I will happily observe Ascension Day tonight by gazing wonderously up into the heavens. Hopefully two angels won’t appear out of nowhere and freak me out.
Ascension Thursday or Ascension Sunday? Seems to differ depending on where you live.
Danithew,
According to my Catholic source, the official 40 days from Easter is on a Thursday. But many Catholic leaders allow their parishes to celebrate on Sunday, since it’s easier and it’s pretty close (and that way, they don’t have to go to an extra Mass on Thursday).
2 cheers for Kaimi while we’re at it. that last parenthetical re: an extra mass was funny even without a smiley face; and the identity theft link… ! :)
Here’s a post that offers some thoughts on the internal Ascension Thursday/Sunday debate.
http://amywelborn.typepad.com/openbook/2005/05/and_what_about_.html
Some Catholics seem to feel that moving the celebration to Sunday is giving in to “the World” so to speak.
The best part of the day was not having to move my car for Alternate Side parking yesterday. May our Catholic (and Jewish and Orthodox and Muslim, etc. etc) friends continue to multiply holidays. I will happily join with all of them in quiet celebration (especially at about 10:58 a.m.)
So that’s what happened after the Resurrection! I always idly wondered why Christ wasn’t still walking around on Earth.