Δαφνη Ευτυχια Αρθουρος

"On a winter evening a few years ago, we brothers were visited by a Montessori Middle School class who had been studying different faith traditions. Before Compline we met in the chapel to give the students the opportunity to ask questions. One young man raised his hands and asked, 'Why are all the depictions of Jesus in this church images of him on the cross, dying? I do not see a 'living' Jesus anywhere." I froze in fear for a moment, not expecting that question and I scrambled for an answer. I said that the depiction of Jesus on the cross is an image that assures us of God Emmanuel, which means 'God with us,' even in the midst of suffering, bearing all that we cannot handle. The answer seemed to satisfy his curiosity, but it did make me wonder also since I had not noticed what he had observed before. The next morning as we brothers were praying Morning Prayer, the sun began to rise and illumine the stained glass. At that moment I had an epiphany! The risen Jesus was everywhere in the glass: in St. John's chapel, in the lancet windows of the Lady Chapel, and most especially in the great Rose window. How could I have missed the resurrected and ascended Jesus in our Church windows all this time? I was then reminded of the line from the Psalms: Weeping may spend the night, but joy comes in the morning." -- Brother Jim Woodrum, 2020-04-10

[This is more of an Easter quote, but I think it kinda works for the Feast of the Ascension too. Anyhow, a good Ascencion Day to everyone celebrating it today!]