“While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was Carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God.”  Luke 24. 51-53

There’s a lot going on in May with the coronation, our coronation picnic, three bank holidays and much more, besides.  But May brings with it something of a hidden gem that is often forgotten.  I am talking about Ascension Day, the day when we remember Jesus going to heaven to be with God. 

As a feast day, Ascension has waned somewhat over the years.  It doesn’t have the same profile or importance in people’s lives as it once did. Schools often came into church for an Ascension Day service and in some countries the day is a public holiday because it is a major feast day. I remember years ago that in one church in Rugby a group of choristers used to climb to the top of the church tower at 7.30am on Ascension morning, stand on the parapet and sing the hymn, Hail The Day That Sees Him Rise.  I don’t remember hearing that being done at St Marks - it would be a real feat as access to the outside of the tower requires negotiating a nasty vertical ladder and a very narrow spiral staircase!

We do however have a service at St Mark’s each year to mark Ascension which takes place in the evening at 7.30pm. This year it will be on Thursday May 18th and I hope you will be able to join us for it. But why is Ascension significant?  

Jesus told his disciples both before and after the resurrection that he had to leave them and would go to the Father. But he also promised them that because he was ascending to be with God that he would send them the Holy Spirit to be with them, to help them and guide them and remind them of all that he had said and done and taught. After the Ascension they no longer had Jesus’ physical presence with them, and nor do we, but we are told that despite that they were continually in the Temple praising God waiting for the gift of the Spirit. And that is what we need to be doing too in that time between Ascension and Pentecost - waiting for the Holy Spirit to be poured out afresh on us. 

With every blessing

Tim