Reflecting on the Word

By Dr. Karla J. Bellinger

We are not told which two angels they were. But the assignment  came from above: “Go and bring my Son home. Forever.” They  talked it over. “Go and bring him home . . . ” What does that mean?  They had seen him become flesh. They had rejoiced when they sang  to the shepherds. They had marveled at the star. They had celebrated  when the Word became flesh. It was amazing. 

Now they are confused. “Bring him home.” This Jesus of Nazareth,  so limited, so broken from human pain—this one is coming home?  And bringing his human flesh with him—what does that look like? “Will he rot?” 

“No . . . His resurrected body seems to be able to walk through  walls, yet he can eat fish.” 

“We have not seen this before.” 

The ways of the Almighty could be confusing, but the angels  had spent eons watching this story of stories unfold in surprising ways and through unexpected people. But this? The Word who had  become flesh was not going to un-become flesh? This was new. But  the order had come: “Go, bring him home . . . ” 

They listened to Jesus give his last instructions. They shook their  heads. First off, humans can’t drive out demons or drink poison or  heal the sick. Most of all, these uneducated men from Galilee cannot  spread this Good News and have anybody actually listen to them— humans kill prophets. Wow, Holy Spirit, you are going to have to  bring some power! 

And then . . . Jesus just went. And his followers stood there,  stunned, looking up. And so the two angels gave the message: “He  will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.”  Then the angel messengers quickly disappeared, curious to see how  this was going to work. 

Consider/Discuss 

  • Sometimes the ascension of Jesus can remind us of those whom we have  loved who have gone away. Lots of people leave us. Yet God draws us into  something new and inconceivable, untracked territory—Jesus becomes  nearer to us now that he is gone. How can this be? 
  • How do hope and promise emerge through suffering? Who would we like  to see when we go “home” forever? 

Living and Praying with the Word 

Dear God, you know that we are creatures of time and space. We  live in a place. We measure our life by days and years. We cannot  imagine what life is like after death, when we will no longer be  limited by time and space. Yet this measureless reality is our hope  and our happiness, for we will be with you in your boundless love  forever. We praise you for that promise!

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