The Ascension

What, then, is the present feast? It is holy and great, beloved; it exceeds the human mind and is worthy of the generosity of God who made it. For today reconciliation with God has come to the human race.

Sermons on the Life of Christ, by St John Chrysostom (Translation and introduction by Robert G. T. Edwards)

This sermon offers some of the earliest evidence of a feast of the Ascension separate from the feast of Pentecost. Especially in the West, the two seem to have been celebrated together even in John’s time. It is another of his sermons that takes place outside the city walls in a martyrium.

In this sermon, and of interesting note, John does not conclude this sermon with his typical exhortation to partake of the eucharistic offering worthily. Why that might be is not explained either by Edwards in the introduction to the sermon nor by John.

John begins by explaining why he is preaching this sermon outside of the city and in the presence of martyrs:

For, so that these saints do not accuse us and say, “Were we not worthy to see a single day pf our Master celebrated in our tents?” … “We shed our blood for Him, and we were deemed worthy to have our heads cut off, but we were not deemed worthy to see the day of His feast celebrated in our resting places?”

John never minces words or softens his approach…

He once again focusses on the idea of “today.” We are not merely remembering an event from centuries ago; what we are celebrating today is happening today. Today the battle of the enemies has come to an end; today a miraculous peace has returned.

Who could have hoped that God would be reconciled with humanity? This was not for any shortcoming in God, but because of the slothfulness of the slave; not that the Lord is savage, but that the slave is insolent. When you understand our earlier enmity and the reasons for this, then also understand the honor God is offering to us – His philanthropy.

…so that you might not think that the change has come from our own merits; so that, learning the abundance of His grace, you might never stop thanking Him for the magnitude of the gifts.

Understand His abundant grace: He once threatened to destroy our race, along with every beast and creature. This due to the utter wickedness in our race of old. From this complete unworthiness, we are now led to heaven.

How was the war brought to an end? How was the wrath removed? How? For this is the amazing thing: that peace had come not from those who unjustly provoked God, but from Him who is justly angry appealing to us. For He is God, and therefore He makes an appeal as a philanthropic Father.

I would like to offer a brief aside. Jonathan Edwards is often mocked for his sermon, Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God (although, from what I understand, the tone of the sermon is not as devastating as the title). Yet, I read this statement from John Chrysostom and see a similar sentiment.

Of course, one sentence doesn’t a theological doctrine make. However, I have found that not all of the bright lines drawn by those both East and West regarding their theological differences are not nearly as bright as each side wants to make them to be.

Returning to John…

Today, this day, this Ascension Day, marks the day of this reconciliation. Christ, on this day, raised up our nature the entire distance – from as low as could be to as high as is possible. Keep in mind: thew Word descended first to us, to as low as we were.

For I will gladly dwell on the meanness of our race, that I might learn with abundance the honor that comes from the Master’s philanthropy.

OK, two sentences.

We have become like irrational animals – which is worse than being irrational animals. Being irrational by nature is natural; becoming irrational despite our nature of having reason is by choice. This was our choice.

We who were made in the image of God have become disciples of ants! But it is not the Maker who is to blame. Rather, it is we who have not remained in the image.

Today – this day – this paltry nature has become higher than everything: our nature is gleaming from a royal throne. Even the angels rejoice at this:

Luke 15: 7 I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.

The angels knew that when the Lord was born according to our flesh He was at last being reconciled with human beings. They sang of this even then:

Luke 2: 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

Conclusion

Likewise, we will be lifted up – not on account of being rich or poor:

For neither is the rich man blessed nor the poor man pitiful! But whoever should be deemed worthy of being snatched away in the clouds is blessed and thrice-blessed, even if he is the poorest of all. Likewise, whoever falls is pitiful and thrice-wretched, even if he is the richest of all.

So, those who have sin should mourn and recognize that we must change, and those who live virtuously, should have confidence – but it is a confidence marked by piety and humility.