It’s an accident of place as to whether your diocese celebrates the Ascension of the Lord on the “traditional” Thursday or, like all but six dioceses in the US, celebrates the feast on the following Sunday. Moving the feast to the Sunday allows many more people to join in the celebration, which I think is why it was moved in the first place. And one wonders what the turnout (or the collection) is in the six “Thursday” dioceses?

The Acts of the Apostles recounts the Ascension but, of course, doesn’t denote the day of the week on which it happened. Think of all the calendar changes that have happened since then—the Julian calendar, the Gregorian calendar, modern leap years—who could keep track anyhow?

Very triumphal Ascension hymns, such as “Hail the Day that Sees Him Rise,” “Crown Him with Many Crowns,” and so forth, are often chosen to today. But remember, the Risen Christ did not answer questions about “restoring the kingdom to Israel.” His Ascension was not a political move.

So it is wise to look for other images: “Now the Green Blade Rises” uses the jaunty Christmas tune Noel Nouvelet to tie together the beginning of Jesus’ life on earth with his rising from the dead and ascension into heaven. Bernadette Farrell’s “Unless a Grain of Wheat” reminds us that our commitment is to follow him, even unto death, in the sure and certain hope that we too shall rise. And Marty Haugen’s “We Walk by Faith” underscores not a triumphal faith but one that meets the challenges of every day with fortitude and renewed determination.

And that’s no accident.