The Ascension of the Lord– B
May 12, 2024 8:30 and 11am
Our Lady of Grace Parish, Parkton
Worker Looking Up and Down
Some years ago, a construction worker in Baltimore had a piece of equipment fall down on him.
This young guy survived, but both of his arms and legs were broken. He was laid up for months recovering.
Eventually, he went back to work, and he resolved to be very careful. Whenever any object was being passed overhead anywhere near him, he would keep his eyes on it so he could jump out of the way if he had to.
One day he was watching very carefully as a piece of steel was being passed above fairly close to him. And as he watched, he fell into an eight-inch hole and broke his leg.
The poor guy! Try as he did to be careful, he got injured again.
Looking Up and Down in Scripture
That story helps us to appreciate a message in today’s celebration of the Ascension of Jesus.
In the first reading, Jesus has been taken up in a cloud and removed from the apostles’ sight. The apostles are gazing up at the sky, and two men dressed in white appear to them.
They ask, “Why are you standing here looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken from you into heaven will return.”
The point is that just gazing up at the sky does not fulfill Jesus’ calling to do his work in the world. Something like the construction worker, the apostles are missing what is right in front of them on the earth.
Our Looking Up
Now, our looking up at the sky is actually a good thing to do.
The beauty of a sunny day or a starry night can lift our spirit to God. It’s something like praying before a crucifix.
Or it’s like gazing at the bread and wine as they are consecrated into the body and blood of Jesus here at Mass. It’s like receiving Communion – which some of our children are doing for the first time this weekend.
Looking at our God in praise and awe is an important thing to do. But we also have to do something else.
Our Looking Down
We also have to be looking down at what’s right before us.
Jesus in the gospel reminds us to do this. He wants us to be about his work right here on earth, and he uses some interesting images to describe this.
First, Jesus says that we are to use his name to expel demons.
Well, for sure, we are not to use God’s name in vain or Jesus’ name as an expletive. But we are to use his name in prayer, as he taught us to pray that “his kingdom come, and his will be done on earth.”
Then, Jesus says that we are to speak entirely new languages.
This probably won’t mean that we suddenly become fluent in Russian or Chinese or whatever. But the language we are to speak will be one of civility and respect, regardless of how others may speak.
Jesus says that we will be able to handle serpents and drink deadly poisons.
This is clearly one of those instances of hyperbole or exaggeration in the gospels, and it is not to be taken literally. What Jesus means is that if we stay centered on him, we will be able to live in the world without becoming part of any hateful or life-injuring ways.
And finally, Jesus says that the sick upon whom we lay our hands will recover.
We all know that sometimes we do not physically recover. But Jesus is saying that the presence and prayer of one another is powerful in bringing us at least spiritual strength and healing when we are sick.
Conclusion
So, the image of the construction worker in Baltimore reminds us of the twofold call of Jesus as he ascends into heaven.
Look up at the sky and look down to the earth – both. Stay rooted in God and also do God’s work here and now.
