Journal

ASCENSION

16 May 2010

FEAST OF THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD

A reading from Guerric of Igny
“Father, as long as I was with them it was for me to keep them true to your name”.  This was the prayer on the lips of our Lord on the eve of his passion.  But it is not unreasonable to accommodate it to the day of his Ascension, when he was about to depart from the children He was then commending to his Father.  In heaven He has created a multitude of angels; there He rules over them, teaches them.  On earth it was a puny flock of disciples he gathered about him.  They were to be taught by his presence in the flesh until their understanding had increased sufficiently for them to be capable of receiving the direction of the Holy Spirit.  Thus it was that the Master loved his little ones with a great love, for he had weaned them from the love of the world and saw them putting all hopes of the world aside, place all their hope in him.  For as long as He desired to be with them in the flesh He did not readily manifest His love for them; or if He did, He did not show it to any great extent.  Rather then intimacy He had to show that reserve which became a Master and a Father.  But when the time was come for Him to leave them, He seemed to be overcome by his tender love for them so that He was no longer able to dissimulate the wealth of affection He had hidden till then.
On that day He poured out on his friends almost the full power of his love before he himself was poured out like water for those same friends.  He handed over to them the sacrament of his body and blood; instituted it for them to celebrate in their turn.  Was it his marvellous power or his more marvellous love that enabled him to find this new way of remaining with them as consolation for his departure?  Although He was to deprive them of his bodily presence He would nevertheless remain with them; even more, He would remain in them, by virtue of this sacrament.
Finally, after encouraging them at some length, He lifted up his eyes to heaven and commended them to the Father, saying: “Father,  as long as I was with them it was for me to keep them true to your name; not one of them has been lost save him who perdition claims for its own.  Now I am coming to you.  Keep true to your name those whom you have given to me.  I am not asking that you should take them out of the world, but that you should keep the clear of what is evil.”  In the three petitions He makes is contained the whole of salvation and perfection:  that they be preserved from evil, that they be sanctified in truth, that they be glorified with him.
Whatsoever Christ asks for in prayers must of necessity come about; his word is power, his will fulfilment.  “This is my desire, that where I am they also shall be.”  What assurance for them who are faithful, what a pledge for them who believe.

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