In the Gospel reading for today, the First Sunday of Lent, we hear of Jesus being tempted. His response to the temptation seems remarkably calm; he simply gives one sentence put-downs to Satan. What is it that enables him to reject these attractive temptations of power, wealth and glory with such (apparent) ease. I think we know the answer…

Ascension
Most people think of the Ascension of Jesus as being a ‘departure’ moment. Jesus was here and now he is gone. We imagine Jesus going up into the clouds and the disciples waving farewell from below.
This is an unhelpful image.
It is essential that we understand what does happen and what does not happen in the Ascension event.
It would be easy to wrongly think that in his ministry showed us how to build the city of God on earth, and now he has gone and the mission is left to us.
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