ascension blues

before the moon rose and night disappeared
Jesus rose on an orange streak of day
plucking clover leaves before doubtful eyes

with 40 days and 40 nights of off-again, on-again sights
with fish-frys and rumblings about a kingdom come
twas time to go, push off above
kick back, fly high, say good-bye
split the scene and return above
leaving these independents to muddle on their own
spilling blood and building up
speaking truth while skirting lies

he promised an Advocate that'll come in view
to guide them through the bumbling life
a Spirit through them who'd infiltrate the world

so lest these crown him and mar his quest
he beat it out of there, lifting in a flash
with angels watching, stiff in shifts

he blew the scene as the disciples watched
they scurrying south toward the upper room
moaning Ascension Blues as only the disciples could




*It's not enough to transform apostles into community organizers, to have Jesus enter Jerusalem on a motorcycle, or to turn Simon of Cyrene into an immigrant worker.  It's right to admire the generosity and rigor of activists and agree with their criticisms of Christian society.  But at the same time something is missing: they believe too much in their own analyses and proposals, they identify too much with human hopes.  It all lacks fantasy, humor, and ultimately, interior freedom - eternal life here and now.
-Jean Sulivan


*The Holy Spirit is not necessarily linked to miracles or prophecy, as Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians, but to active love and general life-orientation.
-Jean Sulivan