Why are you looking into the sky?

 

 

We stand in a moment of transition between the Ascension and Pentecost. It appears that we have been waiting for the season of Easter to come to an end so that we can return to business as usual. Yet this is not the message that we hear from the angels who speak to the disciples, why are you standing there looking into the sky?” In other words: don’t remain stuck in this moment. The same Jesus who ascended will return—but in the meantime, there is work to be done.

This calls us to reflect on how we grow in our understanding of the mission and how it is about a person who will accompany us on our journey. The contradiction that we are often presented with is both the proximity and the absence of Jesus at the same moment. No wonder the disciples were confused as their usual reference points were taken from them.

In the Ephesians we start to hear about the wisdom that we help us to grow in full knowledge of him. This wisdom allows us to notice the practical steps in our daily lives that aid our growth in relationships with God and each other. This is more than just an academic exercise but rather a chance to encounter the person of Christ who gathers us together.

We sense this in the disciples throwing themselves down at the feet of Jesus in an act of worship rather than subjugation. Even though some hesitate they are drawn into the conversation that calls them to ponder more deeply where God is at work in their lives.

This should encourage us. Faith is not the absence of hesitation; it is the decision to trust despite it. And it is to this imperfect group that Jesus gives the Great Commission: “Go, make disciples of all nations; baptise them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all that I have commanded you.”

Thus, in our own community we are called to have hearts set on fire for mission. This calls us to notice how our prayer calls us to look within ourselves and be prepared to ask for what we need to be to live out this mission. This is not through just thinking pious thoughts but rather noticing the graced moments in our lives and the promptings that we resist. We are called to be people who become aware of the moments in our lives when we can be present to others with the spirit of Jesus. These graced filled moments allow us to become people who read the signs of the times in our own time and space. This also calls us to be people who seek to take the next obvious step in proclaiming the Gospel with our lives.

So, we are left with three invitations today.

First, to trust. Like the disciples, we may not know the times or seasons of God’s plan. But we are called to trust in his promise and his providence.

Second, to be enlightened. We need that spirit of wisdom Paul speaks of—hearts open to God, eyes capable of seeing the hope and dignity of our calling.

And third, to be sent. Each of us, in our own way, is called to be a witness—to carry the love, mercy, and truth of Christ into our families, our workplaces, our communities.

We are not alone in this mission. The same Jesus who ascended into heaven remains with us. The same Spirit who empowered the first disciples is given to us. And the same promise holds true: that through our faithful witness, the Gospel will reach to the ends of the earth

Especially in this week we also prayer for Christian Unity as we say:

Heavenly Father, you call us to be one, as You are one—
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Perfect in love and communion.

We confess that too often we allow division, pride, and misunderstanding to separate us.
Forgive us, Lord, and soften our hearts toward one another.

Pour out Your Holy Spirit upon all Christians,
That we may grow in humility, patience, and charity.
Help us to see Christ in one another,
And to recognise the gifts You have given each part of Your Church. Unite us in the truth of Your Word,
In the love of Christ, and in the mission, You have entrusted to us— To proclaim the Gospel to all the world. May our unity be a living witness, So that the world may believe in Your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord, Who lives and reigns with You,
In the unity of the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen.