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FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK
“…and He led captivity captive.”
On this Solemnity of the Ascension of our Lord, these words
are at the heart of the mystery we celebrate. They are found in
two places in the Bible: first, in Psalm 68:18 and then in Ephesians
4:8. So, what does this mean for us today?
Psalm 68 is what is called an “enthronement psalm” because
it was used when the Ark of the Covenant was enthroned on
Mount Zion in Jerusalem. Since the Ark signified God’s presence
among His people, those who had been “captured” in battle
were forced to march behind the Ark and, in turn, behold God
in all His glory. Saint Paul quotes this Psalm as he writes his
Letter to the Ephesians. (By the way, this letter is one of those
written by Paul while he was under house arrest in Rome.) If
you are familiar with Paul’s “body theology,” you know that for
him the Body of Christ is always united. And so, in Ephesians
Paul is stating that in the Paschal Mystery of Jesus’ death, resurrection
and ascension, the Body of Christ remains united. Even
though Christ as now ascended into the heavens, we remain one
with him. Therefore, in him, by our worship through Him, we
behold the glory of God.
Today’s mystery of the Ascension allows us to celebrate our
unity with our Savior and Redeemer even though He has passed
to the realm of heaven. He has left us “another Advocate” (Jn.
14;15) – the Holy Spirit – to remain with us so that we may remain
united with Him, may worship the Father through Him
and still know, even in our frail humanity, the glory of God.
Love, Father Tom