Thursday’s Spiritual Smoothie: The Ascension

Posted by admin on May 13, 2010 under 4. Thursday's Spiritual Smoothie | Be the First to Comment

Today is the traditional observation of the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord, 40 days after Christ’s resurrection on Easter morning. When I think of the significance of this feast, I often relate to it more as a reminder of my baptismal call than of a particular moment in the life of Christ. With the semester winding down on many of our campuses and already ended at some, there is also an interesting connection this year of thinking about how we continue to live out Jesus’ message and our ministry even when the students and faculty may be gone. (Although it’s probably fair to say that they haven’t exactly ascended to heaven…!)

This Feast of the Ascension, at the end of a long academic year for most of us, let us give thanks for the ministry of the past year, and look ahead to how we may better proclaim the Gospel and serve as witnesses to our faith community in the months and years to come. Taking Jesus as our example, may we sometimes step aside to let others exercise their ministry and discipleship, may we reach out to the poor and marginalized and give of ourselves in service to others, and may we welcome all to celebrate with us the mystery of our God who is radically immanent and transcendent.

Sarah Heiman is Campus Minister for Education and Spiritual Life at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT.