The feast of the Ascension – bringing together the past, present and future.

We are in the twilight of this blessed Paschal season, where the sound of our proclamation  “Christ is Risen, Truly He is Risen!” ends and we are left in wonder and awe as the Lord of Glory ascends into heaven to be seated at the right hand of the Father until He comes again in glory to judge the earth.

It is by faith that the joy the Lord’s saving Pascha celebrated for the past 40 days changes into joy, as the incarnate Lord of Glory (flesh and blood like you and me) is glorified and enthroned in the Kingdom, with the joyful promise, that the Father will send to us the “comforter”  and Spirit of truth, who guides in all righteousness (Jn. 16:13) at Pentecost.

The services this week blend all these elements seamlessly; looking back at the Lord’s holy Pascha, beholding His Holy Ascension into heaven, and looking forward to His holy Pentecost. It is by faith we see a God who acts to save us by “His trampling down death by death” in His Resurrection; it is by faith that we see a God who glorifies our mortal and corruptible nature at the right hand of the Father, at His Ascension; and it is by faith, that we can participate in His victory and glorification by gift of the Holy Spirit at poured out on all humanity!

Truly these days bring to our attention the past present and future of the Lord’s timeless love for us; and it is a  blessing that we can experience the timelessness of this “trinity of feasts” even now. A confirmation that restores (past), establishes (present), and promises (future) the eternal and everlasting love of God for humanity.