As I mentioned the other day when the elect weren’t raptured into the heavens, I prefer to mark our heavenward walk on Ascension Day, which is today.
It is rich and complex with meanings and associations. Just one: that Jesus being raised up — this time in glory towards heaven — both pulls him out of the particular setting of time and space, making him a universal savior and yet re-imagines and transforms his other raising-up; that is, his crucifixion.
A Collect for Ascension
Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that like as we do believe that thy only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended into the heavens; so we may also in heart and mind thither ascend, and with him continually dwell, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.
The Free Church Book of Common Prayer (1929)
(I wrote about it more-than-in-passing in 2009,  2004, and 2003.)
Thank you, Scott! I have long thought that Ascension Day (or Ascension Sunday) is the most underrated, under-celebrated festival in our churches. Sound forth the trumpets! Jesus is Lord! God’s purposes WILL triumph! “The earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of God as the waters cover the sea.” What more needs be said?
Is it Ascension Day that you especially love or am I mixing that up with the Transfiguration?
It’s Ascension Day, but Transfiguration Day is important too for its recognition of the role of understanding in life of faith.