THE ASCENSION: The Sixth Encounter with the Risen Lord
We have journeyed together through this Easter season and have at last arrived at the Ascension. If you have not experienced any other ENCOUNTER WITH THE RISEN LORD, all of them, or only a few, this is the one you really must open.
QUESTIONS TO DEEPEN YOUR EXPERIENCE OF THIS ENCOUNTER
- In our own lives, we sometimes remember an earlier, "better" time when things seemed simpler or easier. Yet lingering there can rob us of the joy offered in the present moment. It can also distract us from any intent toward a future for others. How do you see this mirrored in the Ascension story? Why do you think God seems always to be moving us forward? What does that tell us about hope? Does Jesus' leaving his followers at the Ascension somehow make him more available to us these many years later?
- In May 2015, Pope Frances wrote a letter to the church and world, Laudato Si, On Care for Our Common Home. In it, he draws attention to our stewardship for all our natural world. What parallels, if any, do you see between that and the universal implications of Resurrection? Does this challenge you? Do you welcome it?
- If it is each generation's unique challenge and privilege to meditate the Resurrection and its meaning for its own time, how is this different for us in a post-Darwin, post-Einstein, post-moonwalk, post-pandemic world?
- Looking back over these various Encounters, what was it like for you to spend this extra time of the Easter Season contemplating the Risen Christ? Has it made a difference?
Would love to have you share your thoughts and permission to share them along with your first name in the next newsletter. Contact Kathleen
RESOURCES TO PONDER THE MEANING OF THIS ENCOUNTER
Theologians cited in this Encounter included:
- Teilhard de Chardin (French, 1881-1955)
- Paul Tillich (German,1886-1965)
- Karl Rahner (German-American, 1904-1995)
- Ilia Delio (American, b. 1955)
All of these work at the intersection of religion and science. Delio is a Franciscan sister teaching at Villanova. She draws heavily from and has expanded upon the work of Tiellhard de Chardin, a Jesuit theologian and paleontologist, who used evolution as his model for theological interpretation.
Here is an Easter video sent out by Christogenesis, the center founded by Ilia Delio. I include it here because I think the Ascension reveals to us the ongoing and future-oriented dimension of the Resurrection. Please view and allow the implications of Christ's arising to arise within your own life.
Comments from Readers - Last Week
Loved that you included "Do You Love Me?" from Fiddler on the Roof. It makes me both smile and tear up and really is at the heart of a relationship. I also appreciated just singing along to "My Jesus I Love Thee." - Kay
You may re-visit any of these Encounters With the Risen Lord by going to the website and clicking any of the listed weeks--and please share with others. Re-visit Encounters
What happens next?
With our next issue, it's back to monthly newsletters sent with a mix of inspiration, education, and humor. Can't wait to step into personal mode for sharing of stories! Be seeing you soon...
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