WE ARE LIFTED UP

WE ARE LIFTED UP

(Wednesday, May 24)

It’s Wednesday, when in Byzantine tradition we always remember the “honorable” Cross. “Glory be, O Lord, to Your honorable Cross!” we say. But the actual, physical reality of a crucifixion is just about the most dis-honorable and un-dignified thing imaginable. Our Lord, nonetheless, called it being “lifted up” in today’s Gospel reading: “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” In case we all might think He was talking about His ascension (which we are about to celebrate this Thursday), the Evangelist John immediately explains: “This He said, signifying by what death He would die.” (Jn 12:32-33)

Of course, the Ascension of our crucified-and-risen Lord is an essential part of His being “lifted up,” and of His whole project of lifting us up, in His divine humanity. He did not come, nor was He crucified, in order to diminish us, or to dis-honor us. He stepped into our time, with its tribulations, joys and sorrows, friendships and betrayals, lights and darknesses, ups and downs, in order “lift us up” into the dignity, honor, and “power” or “authority” (exousia, Jn 1:12) to become His, – His children, and not anyone else’s. We are liberated from the bondage of self, of unhealthy codependencies and misplaced loyalties, by taking up His honorable Cross and walking through our time, rather than aimlessly being tossed to and fro by it. Let us walk through this Wednesday, as we celebrate the Leavetaking of Pascha and approach the great feast of the Lord’s Ascension, with the “authority” and dignity of those becoming who we are, His children. “Let us lift up our hearts,” even while our feet are steadily walking the cross-carrying journey, and we tend to our responsibilities with our hearts open to His grace. “And behold, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age. Amen.