Learning to Fly in Faith - Reflection

Today is 40 days after Easter Sunday, and the Church celebrates the Ascension of the Lord. When I think of Jesus taking off from the disciples, I wonder what the disciples were feeling.

Probably a mixture of emotions; perhaps some enthusiasm as they began a new journey of living what Jesus had taught them, and perhaps some anxiety as they faced the world without the physical presence of Jesus.

Yet, I believe Jesus knew it was time. A time for them to find their own way, to learn how to become love. Jesus’ teaching had been delivered in so many ways, at different times: with words or silence, with action or contemplation, with joy or suffering, with his life and even in his death.

Through all these moments, Jesus gave love and taught them how to love in his presence.

And now, as he ascends to the Father, he invites them to discover his presence in a new way—to find him even in what feels like absence. And we know that as they continued their journey, they did find the ongoing presence of Jesus, as they lived and loved as he had shown them.

Once, I watched a documentary about a bird nesting on the edge of a cliff to protect its chicks from predators. But as the chicks grew, they had to leave the nest. The mother would fly away, encouraging and even prompting their first flight. It must have been terrifying to leap into the open air. Some stumbled, some fell, but they could not remain in the nest forever.

Otherwise, they would never learn to fly, never live fully as they were meant to. Sometimes, we too feel as though we are left alone, standing at the edge of something uncertain. But the Ascension reminds us that Jesus has not abandoned us. He is drawing us forward. He trusts us enough to let us step out, to grow, to love, to become his presence in the world.

And perhaps, in those moments when we dare to take one more step in faith, in love, in trust, we will discover that he has never been far from us at all waiting to meet us in every step we take.

Fr. James