Christian perspectives

Ascension of Jesus

Lenard R. Mahaarachchi

The feast of the Ascension is celebrated forty days after the Resurrection. Belief in the Ascension is an article of faith of the Nicene Creed. The day marks the event of Christ’s Ascension into heaven taking leave of planet earth 40 days after He survived His Passion and death. This is only one side of the coin, the other side being His coming again in glory at the end of this age. The earliest mention of the event is in Justin Martyr’s Dialogue with Trypho, wherein it says that Christ became man, was crucified and ascended up to heaven. An early church father Iraneus too speaks of the Resurrection and Ascension. (Against heresies).

Tertulilian mentions the event as many as three times in the “Veiling of Virgins” He calls it the “Reception” while in his “Prescription of Heretics” it is referred to as “Taken Up” and finally in his “Against Praxis” it is mentioned as “Receptum” meaning taken back to Heaven. There is a strand of legend which says that the articles of the Apostles’ creed” of the Christian community was composed of contributions from the Twelve Apostles of Jesus, and the article, He ascended into Heaven, was the contribution from St. James. The legend adds that the article “He Rose from the dead was the contribution from the doubter St. Thomas whose doubt was dispelled on touching the Risen Body of Christ.

The ecclesiastical date of the event of the Ascension was fixed in the 4th century to a Thursday, which is 40 days away from Easter Sunday. The decision to celebrate it has its affinity in the Acts of the Apostles, 1...3. But it is not certain whether the event took place on the day of the Resurrection as hinted in Luke’s gospel. (24/50).

There is an earlier reference to the event in the Letter of Barnabas (15) which says that “Christians observe the Lord’s day for joy, the 8th day on which Jesus rose from the dead, and after he had been clearly seen went up to Heaven.”

This seems to confirm Luke’s story though it confuses with the 40-day period. But since the 40-day count ends on a Thursday, it may be asked as to why the event is celebrated on a Sunday now.

Before the Vatican changes it indeed was on a Thursday. It is however chronicled that in the early church some celebrated the event on Whit Sunday.

The Gnostic sect of the Valentinians thought that the period between the Resurrection and the Ascension was 18 months. They attribute the thought to Paul’s conversion which is said to have come after one and half years from the Ascension.

Early church father, Eusebius adds further confusion to this saying that Jesus’ Ascension came three years after His Resurrection. (Demonstration of the gospels 8.2). Again coming back to the Gnostics, it is said that their belief in later years was that between the two events, there was a time lag of 12 years. They maintain this stance on the belief that their sacred book was received from Jesus in the 12th year after His Resurrection.

The Ascension of the Risen Jesus is not without its theology. The 40-day period itself is a significant period throughout the two Testaments of the Holy Bible. (Gen. 7/4, Ex. 24/18, IkKgs 19/8, Jonah 3/4, Mk. I/13 are examples).

The event marked the terminal of Jesus’ mission on earth. It also hints, that our own lives terminated that way, i.e. entry into Heaven.

The Resurrection of Jesus is in itself a confirmation that we too would be raised one day, and that life here does not end in death. The God Who raised Jesus will also raise us one day in the future and that life in spirit would continue.

Retreat at Batagama Church

Wennappuwa ‘Nazareth’ OMI priests are conducting a retreat at Batagama church from April 19 to May 16.

For last 10 days they have visited all the Catholic houses and spoke to them about the social and religious problems they encounter.

They had arranged many programs for children, youth and adults to educate and update their Bible knowledge.

They also had arranged a special program for those who had not married under church law and made arrangements to get married according to church law.

The parish priest of Batagama church Rev. Fr. Nishantha Willathgamuwa will provide necessary guidance with the support of the Parish Council for the success of the program.

These programs are conducted by Rev. Fr. Lily Jayanath (OMI), Rev. Fr. Jude Roshan (OMI) and Rev. Fr. Shanil Jayawardene.

R. S. A. Rangana, Vice President, Batagama Parish Council.

A mother’s odessy Agony and the ecstasy

Siripathy Jayamaha

I was in bed. Happy. He had taught us to pray to His Father. I felt that this prayer would be recited for generations to come - in times of joy and sorrow, and that it would be the prayer that would be the cornerstone of life - bringing back memories of my Son.

“Yes,” said another, “Our Master had asked him ‘Judas, do you betray Him with a kiss?’ “

We hurried on to the place where my Son had been taken. It was later that I learnt that Judas had been given thirty pieces of Silver for the deed. Much later Judas had thrown the money at their feet. It was blood money. Poor Judas, who had many a time had had a meal with us had hanged himself in remorse.

I wanted to run up to Pilate, plead with him and scold the Pharisees. How I hated the Governor. Then he did a strange thing. He called for a basin of water, washed his hands while muttering ‘what is truth’. He said, “I do not want to have anything to do with an innocent man.”

I felt sorry for him. A pity. He knew that my Son was innocent. But fear made him to try my son. He wanted to please the Israeli elite, lest they report him to Rome. He wanted to release my Son. Then he told the blood thirsty scribes and the Pharisees that they could do anything with my Jesus. Fear of losing his position, made him to do this.

Calvary

My son was going to die. He was given a heavy piece of timber to be carried up to Calvary. How many times had I anointed his shoulders whenever he helped Joseph in carrying large pieces of timber to Joseph’s workplace. Now he was carrying this heavy load.

I followed the procession. Many were in tears. A few happy. My Jesus fell. He was in pain. Did I bathe You and lull You to sleep, feed You for this end? How you used to gurgle with ecstasy before sucking from my breasts. Joseph used to sit by me and say “My!, My!, the little one seem to be always hungry,” we laughed.

I could not bear it any longer. I walked up to Him. He looked at me. Smiled. The same smile of my Son, as in Cana, with the family, with friends and after He taught us to pray to our heavenly Father.

I ran my fingers through His blood matted hair. The multitude was silent. Gazing at a heart broken mother and her Son on His way to certain death. I think I whispered “My darling, darling Son, Son of Our Eternal God and of Joseph your foster father.

I am proud of being your mother. A mother whom all generations shall call blessed.” A delay in the trek up to Calvary? A soldier came upto us with a whip. Maybe to whip me. My son turned and looked at him. The soldier’s upraised hand clutching the whip came down limply. He backed away. Later this soldier led me away - very gently and ordered the procession to proceed.

Triumph

My Jesus looked at me and smiled. Is this going to be a day of Triumph. But with so much of sorrow have you made me see this day. Be it done to be according to your word. He was in agony. His strength was ebbing. He fell again and again. All reached the summit of Calvary.

Then they stripped Him. for a mother to be by her half naked son, from cradle to adulthood in time of necessity is not humiliating, but to see a son stripped off his garments before a crowd is unbearable for a mother. How he wailed when the nails were driven into his palms. The very same hands that had blessed so many, touched so many in the act of healing and the same gentle hands that had been raised upto Heaven in prayer to the father.

Forgiveness

They raised the cross and on either side there were two crosses with convicted persons, string on to them. The one who preached on love, forgiveness and peace was between two persons who preached violence and resorted to it.

I was at the foot of the cross. John and many of His followers were there. I saw Peter, in the rear, not daring to look at me.

Tears were streaming down his face. I called him. Peter, the most senior of my sons disciple took my hands “Yes” I said “I know about it”.

He leaned his head on my shoulder. “Mary” he said. I denied having known Him.

Not once but thrice, and it was my Master who said “Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I shall build my Church” and me, a poor fisherman was going to be made a fisherman of men. And Mary, he told me, that before the cock crew. I would deny him thrice. I denied him thrice..” He cried. John came and consoled him.

Strangers

We were strangers here. There was an air of gloom in the sky. Clouds were trying to beat each other in trying to bring its blackness over the mount of death. Was it a place of death or Life and Love? A few soldiers were laughing and exchanging jokes.

This scene on Calvary was common to them. They were waiting for the end of those on the cross. He was gasping for breath. Then He saw us, He looked at Me and John his beloved grieving disciple.

He said “Behold Thy son, Behold Thy mother”. We cried. Then again He said “I thirst”. I begged a soldier to give him some water. Instead they held a sponge fixed on to a baynet. It was not water.

It was vinegar. Jesus rejected it. How many times had he told me “Mother, this dish really tastes wonderful. You really know, how to season distress with vinegar. Can I have some more?” And Joseph said “Yes, yes everything your mother cooks is the best” This was just four years back.

I saw one of the persons crucified on either side say something to my son. What radiance. He smiled and responded. The person on the cross seem very elated. John told me later that he had wanted my Jesus to remember him when in Paradise,” my Jesus had said “Thow shalt be with me in Paradise”. No wonder the lucky person was so happy.

Then He said “It is all finished” - we were all looking up. He said in a loud voice - Father into thy hands I commend my spirit.”

He died

My beloved child’s head bent low, He died.

It was the end of my son. I knew it was going to be the beginning. We took him down from the cross, lot of blood had trickled down the cross. The foot of the cross was a guillotiner moss of blood and earth. Many Roman, centurions seem quiet and awed at the darkening skies. He is innocent they had said.

They laid his lifeless body on my lap. He felt so light. They say that in death, bodies get heavier.

Perhaps he did not want to burden me with the weight of his gentle body, as he had given me enough burdens to carry, along with lots of tears, from the flight into Egypt, my absence in the temple in Jerusalem and now.

Joseph of Asinathea - a rich councillor approached me. “I have prepared a tomb for myself when I die,” he said. “But no greater love and honour and joy do I have than to have the Body of my Master laid in it. I am going to Pilate personally and shall get the body released for burial.”

I thanked him. He reminded me of my son’s words - Greater Love than this no man has than for a man to give his life for his friend.” Joseph gave his tomb as a gesture of love.

We laid my son to rest in this tomb. Joseph told me later that Pilate was very quick in giving his order of release. He had not at all been happy about the happenings of the day. He was sad.

I am now waiting for the day. When I could be with all those beautiful persons up there!

‘The Ballad of Father Gilligan’ - W.B. Yeats

THE old priest, Peter Gilligan,

Was weary night and day;

For half his flock were in their beds,

Or under green sods lay.

Once, while he nodded on a chair,

At the moth-hour of eve,

Another poor man sent for him,

And he began to grieve.

“I have no rest, nor joy, nor peace,

For people die and die”;

And after cried he,

“God forgive! My body spake, not I!”

He knelt, and leaning on the chair

He prayed and fell asleep,

And the moth-hour went from the fields,

And stars began to peep.

They slowly into millions grew,

And leaves shook in the wind,

And God covered the world with shade,

And whispered to mankind.

Upon the time of sparrow chirp

When the moths come once more,

The old priest, Peter Gilligan,

Stood upright on the floor.

“Mavrone, mavrone! the man has died,

While I slept on the chair.”

He roused his horse out of its sleep,

And rode with little care.

He rode now as he never rode,

By rocky lane and fen;

The sick man’s wife opened the door:

“Father! you come again.”

“And is the poor man dead?” he cried.

“He died an hour ago.”

The old priest, Peter Gilligan,

In grief swayed to and fro.

“When you were gone, he turned and died

As merry as a bird.”

The old priest, Peter Gilligan,

He knelt him at that word.

“He who hath made the night of stars

For souls who tire and bleed,

Sent one of His great angels down

To help me in my need.

“He who is wrapped in purple robes,

With planets in His care,

Had pity on the least of things

Asleep upon a chair.”

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“Do not let all kinds of strange teachings lead you from the right way.”

(Heb 13:9)

****

Pope upholds family values

Half a million people flocked to a giant mass with Pope Benedict XVI in Portugal Thursday in what the Church said was a massive show of support for his handling of the paedophile priest crisis.

The Fatima sanctuary’s huge esplanade was full to overflowing and Church organisers said the crowd gathered for the outdoor mass was bigger than that which joined Benedict’s popular predecessor John Paul II here in 2000.

The huge turnout was vibrant proof that the paedophilia scandal shaking the Church has not “weakened” the pope’s position, Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said.

Benedict himself appeared buoyed by the crowd, telling them of the “great hope which burns in my own heart, and which here, in Fatima, can be palpably felt.”

In a separate speech later, the pope criticised gay marriage and abortion as “insidious and dangerous threats to the common good” as Portugal prepares to legalise same-sex unions.

He described abortion as a “tragedy” and said the family was based “on the indissoluble marriage between a man and a woman”, receiving a standing ovation from his audience of Church and lay social workers.

Portugal, long viewed as deeply conservative, is set to legalise gay marriage next week only three years after decriminalising abortion.

The 83-year-old German pontiff has often cut a dour, professorial figure when compared to his media-savvy Polish predecessor, but five years into his papacy he has proved a huge draw since his arrival in Portugal on Tuesday.

A rock festival atmosphere unfolded ahead of the pope’s arrival for mass as flags flew, pilgrims climbed on statues of saints to get a view and the obligatory queues formed for toilets.

Thursday’s mass was the high point of a four-day visit to Portugal and rain fell on thousands who spent the night.
AFP