Ascension Reflection: Not Up There

Here’s a prayerful reflection on the ascension of Jesus by Steve Garnaas-Holmes. It was posted on Unfolding Light.

Ascension Reflection: Not Up There

He was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.
While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven,
suddenly two men in white robes stood by them.
They said, "People of Galilee,
why do you stand looking up toward heaven?”
~ Acts 1.9-11

Don't try to diagram the mystery.
The Body of Love,
in your hands but hard to put your finger on,
within, among and yet beyond,
is here and not here.
The One who Is With You is not present as you wish.
Sorrow and joy mingle perfectly.
Theories will not help you.
You can't look it up.

Look here: this, now.
In the bed you make,
the people you meet,
the rumpling within.
Even what has left you,
your empty arms,
is a place to look.

Jacob on his stone pillow knew:
this loss, this trouble, this gift
is the ladder to heaven.

Keep looking, but not up there.

~ written by Steve Garnaas-Holmes and posted on Unfolding Light. https://www.unfoldinglight.net/