Cycle C

Good News C26a

Feast of the Ascension

Luke 24:46-53 New American Bible

Luke 24:46-53 New International Version Gateway

References to: Ascension

John 6:62 New American Bible

John 20:17 New American Bible

Ephesians 4:8-10 New American Bible

References to Elijah:

http://www.varchive.org/ce/shamir/elijah.htm

http://www.godlyplay.com/zcom.asp?pg=products&grp=68

http://www.ucalgary.ca/~elsegal/Shokel/940330_Elijah.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elijah_(prophet)

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01767a.htm

References to Mantle:

http://anhourwithyou.com/b/The_Mantle_Of_God's_Rose.html Poem with music

http://home.comcast.net/~fccfremont/jesus.htm

http://www.mustardseed.net/html/tmantle.html

It was predicted that Jesus would go up into heaven. Before he died, Jesus asked the Jews, “What would you do if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he came from?” After Jesus arose from the dead, he told Mary Magdalene not to hang on to him because he had not yet ascended to the Father. He said, “I ascend to My Father and to your Father, to My God and to your God." Forty days later he ascended up into the clouds and disappeared into heaven just as he said he would. He rose straight up like he was in a hot air balloon.

Elijah was carried to heaven by a flaming chariot and horses. God took Elijah to heaven so that his enemies would not kill him. He was a prophet who had already trained Elisha to take his place. Elijah dropped his mantle, his cloak. Elisha picked it up, and wore it as a symbol of his determination to carry on Elijah’s work after his death.

After Jesus died, his disciples picked up where he left off. Today you can pick up where Jesus left off. You can show that you are a Christian by your love for others. In some churches, when babies are baptized, they cover them with a new white garment. This symbolizes them putting on Christ. Today pick up the Lord’s cloak and do his work. You can design it yourself. It can have a heart for love, a cross for forgiveness, a Bible, and a path for following God’s plan. You are a disciple of Christ. You are one sent out into the world to spread the word of the Lord.

Say the “Our Father” and ask God to help you do to wear your mantle with love, forgiveness, and wisdom.

“Our Father, who art in Heaven,

Hallowed be Thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day, our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.”

Copyright © 2006 Joan Y. Edwards. www.joanyedwards.com. All rights reserved.