Ascension 2019
Today is the day of Ascension. For the next ten days we should pray for the strength of our body, soul and spirit as we move towards Pentecost. I will post some prayers during this time, I hope they are of assistance.
“After the resurrection the disciples saw Christ (Imagination), then they heard him (Inspiration), and then he disappeared completely. That is the Ascension. The line went dead, communication ceased, the video link was also down and they could no longer see him.
For ten agonizing days they felt totally abandoned by Christ. They may have often wondered whether that was all there is. Then at Pentecost in a baptism of fire and spirit Christ enter into them as he had entered into Jesus when he was baptized in the Jordan. Christ was no longer outside them, now they had an inner experience of him – as we must.
As we go through the next ten days we can try to experience the utter desolation the disciples felt, their spiritual faculties failed them, it was as if they lost consciousness – at the least the consciousness that they were used to. It would have been frightening; they would have felt absolutely powerless. Perhaps this experience is necessary before we can have that immediate awareness of the presence of Christ within us, or to build on our awareness each year at this time.” Kristina Kaine “Christian Festivals” soon to be published.
Prayer of Teresa of Avila
Christ has no body now, but yours.
No hands, no feet on earth, but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which he looks
compassion on this world.
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good.
Yours are the hands with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now on earth but yours.
Teresa of Avila
1515 – 1582
The Rose Cross by Laura Summer
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Kristina, You have no idea how much you bless me by keeping these festivals alive and meaningful!!! In the wash of everyday life they often flow by unnoticed unless they are big on the church calendar – Lent, Easter, Advent, Christmas. I can’t blame the church for the loss of awareness and preparation for other festivals, but for sure I’ve slept through them for many years. What a blessing to have caught this one in time rather than trying to play catch up!! Thank you so much!!!! Mary G, Florida