Psalm Reflection: The Ascension of the Lord - Cycle A

“God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.” - Psalm 47

Why did Jesus leave?

This Sunday we celebrate the Ascension of Jesus into Heaven. Forty days after He rose from the dead, proving definitively that He was the Son of God He claimed to be, He leaves the disciples again. Why?

First, Jesus wants to send us the Holy Spirit. He wants there to be no confusion that the Holy Spirit is to guide the Apostles and the Church, so He steps aside to make way for the Spirit to come.

Secondly, Jesus is going to be seated at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us. He has not abandoned or left us (Matthew 28:20), but is present to us in a new way.

Lastly, Jesus has completed His mission to proclaim the kingdom of Heaven, and the kingdom needs a king. 

An empty throne makes a kingdom fragile and susceptible to division, confusion and abuse. Look no further than the pages of history for plenty of examples. Someone needs to be on the throne or in charge, otherwise things will soon descend into anarchy and chaos.

Not only that, the right person needs to be on the throne. If the throne is occupied by someone who is incompetent, irresponsible, or only concerned for their own interests, it leads to destruction, division and rebellion in the kingdom. Someone needs to be on the throne, and they need to be good.

There is no better or more perfect king for the throne than Jesus. 

Your entire life — your mind, your body, your soul, your free will, your vocation, your interests and your relationships— all make up a sort of kingdom. Your heart has a throne made for the King of Kings to rule perfectly over every aspect of your life. This is not to oppress you, subdue you, or take things from you, but to help the kingdom of your life grow and thrive.

Instead of allowing Jesus to claim that throne, we often put other things or people on the thrones of our hearts.

Ancient pagan altars or shrines were often built with an idol or object of worship on the top in the center. However, when God instructs His chosen people to create the ark of the covenant, which looks very much like an ancient altar of worship, He instructs them to create two angels on either side of the lid, but nothing in the center: 

You shall then make a cover of pure gold, two and a half cubits long, and one and a half cubits wide. Make two cherubim of beaten gold for the two ends of the cover; make one cherub at one end, and the other at the other end, of one piece with the cover, at each end. The cherubim shall have their wings spread out above, sheltering the cover with them; they shall face each other, with their faces looking toward the cover. This cover you shall then place on top of the ark. In the ark itself you are to put the covenant which I will give you. There I will meet you and there, from above the cover, between the two cherubim on the ark of the covenant, I will tell you all that I command you regarding the Israelites. (Exodus 25:17-22)

Instead of a symbol, icon, or an idol, the center of the altar is left empty. It is adorned and symbolically protected by angels on either side, but there is nothing placed on the “throne” or “seat” of the ark, so that God’s presence could come down and dwell there. It is left empty so God can fill it.

Is your throne empty?

Is there room in your life for God to come and take His seat as King?

Are you ready for Him to be Lord of every part of your life: your family, your money, your time, your relationships, your sex life, your free time, your politics, your career and your reputation?

Has something else become your object of obsession or worship? (i.e. power, influence, financial success, pleasure, comfort, experiences, etc.)

How can you dethrone the idols of your life to leave the throne open and ready for the Lord to come and rule?

Stepping back and surrendering control is not easy. It takes a lot to place your complete trust and livelihood in the hands of someone else, especially someone you cannot see. That is why we have Scripture and the two most repeated commands in the Bible: “be not afraid” and “remember.” We read and reflect on the words and stories of Scripture so we can remember that God has always been faithful, so we can trust and be not afraid, because He will continue to be faithful.

If you are struggling to trust Him, grappling with doubt or worry, or chasing after things you think will fix everything and make you happy, this is for you:

God knows what He is doing.

He has been king since eternity and always will be.

He belongs on the throne of your heart.

Clear a seat for Him.

Let Him reign.

All will be well.

I am praying for you, please pray for me, and I will see you in the Eucharist.

Matt

This reflection is based on the Responsorial Psalm for this Sunday, May 21st, 2023, which is the Ascension of the Lord - Cycle A: 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9.