The Ascension of the Lord
By Amy Booker-Hirsch
RCL: Acts 1:1-il; Psalm 47 or Psalm 93; Ephesians 1:15-23; Luke 24:44-53
LM: Acts 1:1-il; Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9; Ephesians 1:17-23; Matthew 28: 16-20
Okay, who's in and who's out? There is an ongoing flight of Central Americans and Mexicans through the Sonoran desert and eventually to hoped-for freedom in the United States of America. Their plight gives a modern-day angle to the quarrel in the early Church about who is clean and unclean. My friend Robin Hoover, pastor of First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, in Tucson, Arizona, clearly sees it his mission to save anyone who might perish in the desert from heat and dehydration while seeking a chance at freedom. His creation of Humane Borders grows and thrives. Humane Borders seeks to make the Arizona-Mexico border humane. It offers clean water and has people of good conscience patrolling and aiding refugees. Upon their safe arrival, the United States government can deal with the legality of who's in and who's out. But Humane Borders believes that no one should perish in the desert in hopes of attaining freedom. "We must take death out of the immigration equation," Robin says.
Clearly, Robin welcomes the refugees, engages in table fellowship, and makes a place for them in the community. Robin sees them as "good" and vital to the community in southern Arizona. Perhaps there are critics at your places of worship saying things like, "If the congregant does not speak English, if the congregant has not had a bath, if the congregant brings a less-than-appetizing dish to the monthly potluck . . ." You get die idea; these are "in or out" questions.
Jesus speaks of this when he says, "There are other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice" (John 10:16). The Good News must go to the Gentiles as well. Post-Easter, pre-Pentecost fans, "Beware of the Spirit in your midst. It has been unleashed and more power is corning!"
Perhaps on the road to Hermosillo or Magdalena in northern Mexico, in the state of Sonora, you will be treated to meeting Jesus "on die way." I know my Central American friends recognize him as they walk in the Spirit of freedom. Jesus is the one who breaks tortillas with them. It is then they recognize him. Maybe I'm a bit out of line, but I truly see Robin as being Christ to so many. The Protestant reformer Martin Luther admonished us to be "little Christs to one another." Way to go, Robin! I nominate you as a "little Christ"!
But Robin is not ascending to heaven. Rather, Robin is bringing a bit of heaven to earth, where the glimpse of God's realm is desperately needed. So as you celebrate Ascension of the Lord, don't crane your neck too hard looking up. Rather, look around and see the face of Jesus in the grocery store clerk, the bank teller, the refugee from Guatemala. Oh, and stay close to the Spirit!
Prayer
The acts of present-day disciples are ascending and descending all around us, Gracious One. Grounded in humble demonstrations of care, we see and give thanks for your Son's presence among us.
Musical Suggestions [LH]
Come to Us—CC 743
All Are Welcome—CC 753
God is Here!—CH 280
Eternal Christ, You Rule—NCH 302
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Reflection from Hunger for the Word, Year A
© 2005 by the order of Saint Benedict, Inc.
Published by Liturgical Press, Collegeville, Minnesota.
Reprinted with permission.
