Ascension

This Thursday is known as the Ascension of our Lord. Now many churches will not celebrate the day, but perhaps move the occasion to the following Sunday, or simply omit it completely. Both are second rate options compared to observing it its entirety on this Thursday. Many would say that trying to get a congregation back to the church mid-week is too much to hope for. Yet the LBW has placed enough significance on this day to have its own propers, including a proper Preface. If we lack interest in this particular feast, do we not devalue it? Do we diminish the importance of the fact that Christ "was taken up into heaven and in power intercedes for us"? Indeed yes, if we choose not to observe this celebration of our Lord's Ascension we choose not to place value in what it means. While it is likely to late to ask for your congregation to observe it this year, there are many lesser feasts that can still be observed this year, and there is always next year to try to make a liturgical difference.