We read in Matthew’s Gospel, moments before his Ascension, Jesus telling his followers very simply:  “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.”

GO … the world is waiting, he instructed them:

GO – and transform the world.

GO – and pick up those who have fallen.

GO – and heal those who are hurting.

GO – and love those who have been forgotten.

It’s tempting to see the Ascension as a conclusion of Christ’s earthly ministry, as an ending, but what we celebrate is really the beginning. The rest is now up to the disciples, to take what Jesus taught out into the world … that goes for us too!  

So, did Jesus really go up “in smoke” into the clouds? I often wondered about that!  “After he spoke to them, he was taken up into heaven,” says the Gospel, but was it a visible thing? Did his body elevate into the clouds and God was there to greet him? My own thinking, [and I am not a Theologian, so my apologies] is that it’s not meant to be literal … it is metaphorical, and for us today … maybe the question simply is: “After all this time - how will we raise OURselves - OUR lives to God?” Look at what lies before you … get ready … get set…. GO!

While I was doing some research and reflecting on the readings, I came upon several videos, 2 of which I would like to share. The first is really quite beautiful. It depicts Jesus ‘going-up’ into the clouds, sort of, and maybe he is just taken from our site. The other is just fun … as an artist, I love animation and the creativity which goes into making videos for children – and maybe us adults too! So, enjoy them both and Happy Day to you all