Scripture Briefs: Luke 24 Then he led them out as far as Bethany, raised his hands, and blessed them. As Jesus blessed them, He then parted from them and was taken up to heaven. Acts 1: Jesus said: you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When He had said this, as they were looking on, He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him from their sight.
Ascension Day is sort of like Godly Believer Graduation Day.
One day we are told that we have the Lord come down for us and call us up, to rise and go into the skies as his elect. Resurrection of the body to life eternal day to our souls. Today’s Bible verses tell us so. Cool.
So if life is like a graduation, of a “many” of us, not just “one” of us—like you. Then let’s listen to the words from two graduation speeches.
Kermit the Frog at UM’s graduation days ago….
Graduates, you’re getting ready for what comes next—which I call making the leap. And leaping is, er, what we frogs know a thing or two about. … and when I was a bit younger than some of you are now, I used to have fun playing in the swamp, in doing the “Leap Frog” thing. It was our favorite game, and, maybe our only froggy game, but we loved it! Except that my cousin Albert wouldn’t play it fair and right. He didn’t ever actually leap, but instead stepped on your head and used it like a lily-pad to move forward –ouch! Sure he’d get ahead, but only by stepping on you. We’ve been told that this is a way to act—to get ahead by stomping on another. But I know it’s wrong. You, too, huh?! Here’s some creative advice. Why not we join hands with another and leap together side by side? Because life is better when you leap together— toward shared dreams!
Thanks Kermit. If our getting up to Heaven will succeed, then we’ll need to do it as a leap together to glory. For we are the Church or God’s people—told to “love one another” as our way of faith to eternal life. So we need one another to do so, and a common Savior Jesus who will come and lead us in the leap there. He said, “Where I am going, you shall come one day.” Jesus is Lord. Jesus is Lord of the leap, too—to Glory.
What weight would hold us down from being able to be lifted up? The rebellious ego. The me–first and me-only strategy. That’s what will do you in. The boldness of sin and pride—it’s bad. What’s good? It’s the common good, we get there together strategy—which explains why we have the Catholic Church.
Take now a lesson from a faculty member speaking at the high school graduation of its seniors.
He says: (taken off a You-Tube video) “We’re all special here at this event, but individually—don’t think that just you are special, all on your own. That would be a mistake. Just look at you, all wearing the same shapeless gown, same board cap, sitting in identical chairs, to come up from them to receive an identical diploma for “graduation” but for a name being different on it. All of this is as it should be—because not one is special, but all are special. Maybe this exercise of graduation can teach you that it’s best to share in being mutually special, but also be humbled a bit in the repeating lesson how life isn’t just about you. But we’re glad you made it and graduated. Sure are. But don’t confuse this achievement with what you might have received before in flattery—like that participation trophy in soccer that you got with your sixth place team, or that science fair project that got you an “honorable mention” among 50 others so “honorably mention” that didn’t win either. We have tried so hard to puff you up as “special” all the way that “special” may have lost its meaning, among all those nice try stars we gave you along the way, with all the accolades perhaps given to you—we didn’t intend to make your ego get too big or your head too big to fit under that large cap. Yes, you’re a grad but don’t think that “life’s all about you.” Yes, but you could think that way at this ceremony because you’ve but doted upon, pampered, spoiled—and parents have taught you, potty-trained you, fed you, clothed you, driven you here to there a lot before, and helped you to be driving that vehicle you’re now in. But don’t get carried away. It’s not just “you” that’s here to graduate—it’s the whole bunch. And all have had people to help them get to this fine moment of graduation. You’ve each been either coached, coaxed, encourage, kicked in the behind, counseled, corrected—yes, and listened to, watched over, consoled you, caringly cried for, cheered on, and provided with support. You’ve been nudged, needled, implored, empowered, assisted, feted, fawned over and called sweetie pie! Even cajoled! But don’t take your graduation for granted, it’s a team or group effort in many ways that this diploma is being given to you. And be humbled–y’all got here in some way with help, though we can applaud your individual effort. Still—don’t think you’re singly the one who is special here, even if you are the valedictorian or president of the street-board club or spelling bee champ or high schooler here with the highest x-box game score. This is a special day for the group, not just the one person. Even if your parent has a bumper sticker that says “My kids on the honor roll at this school” -don’t get the idea that only you are special today, because the evidence says that you are a high schooler among 3.52 million high school grads this month in the USA from 37,000 schools. Ok?! Check the ego. Put it in perspective, even if you think you are “one in a million,” because, face it, you’re on a planet of more than 7 billion, so then it makes that “one in a million” person you’d be then to actually have 7000 persons just like you. Oops! Yet some people still will insist you act like the center of the universe, but there is no center of the universe—astronomically, so get over it. So just say thanks—I’m glad to all those along the way and here that will give success.
And thanks to the Lord for He is good and His mercy endures forever. I want to graduate earth and get to Heaven. Lord, help it happen, and thanks for all whom you provide for its answer. I know that the spoiled, self-serving, proud will be sent away empty—help that not to be me. ##