As from the earth the light Balloon
Asks nothing but release --
Ascension that for which it was,
Its soaring Residence.
The spirit looks upon the Dust
That fastened it so long
With indignation,
As a Bird
Defrauded of its song.
---- Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)
Beloved Members of St. Martin’s,
This weekend we will observe the transferred Feast of the Ascension, which is officially celebrated this last Thursday—the 40 day after Resurrection Sunday. We will hear two separate versions of this departure of the Risen Christ to Heaven—one from the end of Luke’s gospel, and the other from the start of the Acts of the Apostles.
Biblical scholars believe that the same person who wrote the Gospel we call Luke also wrote the Book of the Acts of the Apostles. So it is interesting that this week, as we celebrate Jesus’s Ascension, we have as our gospel the closing verses of Luke and the opening verses of Acts—and that they both recount the same event. Luke’s gospel closes with Jesus opening the apostles’ minds to the meaning and fulfillment of the scriptures, his final blessing upon them, and, in the midst of that blessing, his ascension to heaven.
We first hear Acts begin with the same event—but with some different details. The one that jumps out at me is the two angels appearing after Jesus has ascended. They bring the apostles back to earth, so to speak, with a forthright question: “Why are you standing around, staring up at heaven?” Jesus promises the apostles the power of the Holy Spirit, and then he ascends into heaven, and that’s often where we get distracted. Right there with the apostles, we tend to focus on the image of Jesus flying up into heaven rather than think about what that leave-taking means.
It’s a scene that has been depicted in art thousands of times over the centuries, by everyone from Donatello (the sculptor, not the teenage mutant ninja turtle) to Salvador Dali, in icons, and paintings, and reliefs and stained-glass windows. One of the weirdest ways to depict the scene shows only Christ’s feet dangling at the top edge of the scene, as if he were doing an Olympic high dive in the wrong direction. This was very common in the Middle Ages, and it actually is depicted in a sculpture in the ceiling at the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham in the UK (see the photo above). Wheeee!
But in our version from Acts, even the angels who suddenly appear at the moment of Jesus’s departure remind us that focusing on looking upward is pointless, a hindrance to getting about the holy charge that Christ has placed upon us of witnessing to his truth in the world. It’s an awesome responsibility and an honor. It's a sign of how very much Jesus loves us that’s every bit as breathtaking as his laying down his life for us on the cross. Jesus loves us so much that, by the power of the Holy Spirit, he commissions each and every one of his followers to carry on his holy work of redemption, reconciliation, and healing into the world: to carry him and bear his image within ourselves for the sake of the world. It’s so easy, I know, to look to heaven to solve all of our problems. But there is a reason why the author of Luke tells this story again in Acts, but with this different emphasis. The Gospels are about Jesus’s ministry on Earth. The Book of the Acts of the Apostles is about the apostles and disciples taking up their own ministry, which is the birth of the Church. Jesus’s ascension is NOT about Jesus abandoning us to go back to heaven. The story told in Acts is meant to build up our courage so that we may joyfully take up the mission he loves us enough to entrust to us: to take up our call not as observers but as disciples; to actively proclaim Jesus’s gospel of love and reconciliation in the world.
How can you live more deeply into your call to be a witness in the world?
In Christ,
Mother Leslie+
In The First Law of Geography, cartographer and geographer Waldo Tobler says that,
"Everything is related to everything else, but near things are more related than distant
things." In turbulent times, when global challenges can leave us feeling overwhelmed,
it may be comforting to know that the most impactful changes can start close to home,
right in our own community.
When you support Circle of Concern, it's a clear and tangible way to make a difference right
here in our neighborhood, in west St. Louis County and parts of Jefferson County. When we
join forces, we can help local, low-income families, and individuals like Steven, who recently
moved to Missouri and took a full-time hourly position with an area retailer.
He was excited to start his new life, but getting set up in his apartment with first and
last months' rent, utility deposits and more stretched his finances thin. He soon found
himself in need of help. He turned to Circle of Concern, where volunteers greeted him with
compassion and immediate support. He received a generous supply of wholesome foods
and personal care items. It was just the help he needed to get through a rough patch.
Some of our clients need support for a longer stretch, due to obstacles that don't resolve
with simply a grocery cart full of food. Our comprehensive approach at Circle offers monthly
visits with trained volunteer case workers, shopping in our client choice food pantry and
additional wraparound services. When we walk alongside our clients in this way, we can
identify the issues, assist with the most pressing needs, and respond quickly with resources.
We can help individuals and families in crisis to gain stability and a sense of hopefulness.
Last year, we served an average of 737 families each month - 7% more households over
the previous year. That's a big increase, and it shows just how many of our neighbors are
struggling to put food on the table.
Food insecurity is a USDA term for when struggling households don't have enough healthy
food to eat for an active, healthy life. It's growing in our area, and we are working hard to
fight it — and to be there for those who need us.
112 S t . Louis Av e n u e
P.O. Box 44
Valley Park, MO 63088
P h o n e : 636.861.2623
Everything we do at Circle is meant to help local families thrive through hard times. Our client choice pantry has healthy food choices like fresh fruits, vegetables, protein options and dairy products so clients can choose what works best for them.
When families are behind on bills and money is tight, our emergency financial assistance program can keep their lights on and a roof over their heads. We offer counseling for those who are feeling overwhelmed by their circumstances, and a mentorship program to help with career coaching and other support. We send kids to summer camps throughout the community, where they can learn new things, make friends, and just enjoy being kids. Through our scholarship program, we give students the chance to grow and work toward a better future.
We make sure those who are struggling feel cared for, not just with food or financial support,
but in ways that bring joy and hope.
Supporting local means making an impact right where you live. Thanks to you, Circle clients like Steven feel seen, supported and hopeful while facing life's challenges.
Will you chip in today to support your local community and hard-working neighbors like Steven?
With thanks and best wishes,
Mark Barbee
President, Board of Directors
Cynthia R. Miller
Executive Director
P.S. The Missouri Food Pantry Tax Credit program is an easy-to-access
50 percent tax credit program that can reduce your Missouri income
tax bill when you contribute to a food pantry. Please reach out to
circle @circleofconcern.org for program guidelines and tax credit limits.
P.S.S. Donors like you make the work of Circle of Concern possible!
n appreciation, we've partnered with FreeWill to offer a complementar
will-making service. In just 20 minutes you can create your legacy, bringing
peace of mind and security to you and your loved ones. Have you already
included us in your plans? Please let us know so we can thank you! Visit
circleofconcern.org for more information or email circle@circleofconcern.org.
*Client name has been changed to protect privacy.