Feast of the Ascension: May 16/17, 2026

Legendary basketball coach and fellow Hoosier to me, John Wooden, tells this story:

I loved preparing for practice.  Every day the staff and I would meet a couple of hours to clarify the plan. The meetings began at 10:00 am.  We would schedule each minute and every aspect of the practice. I wanted the team manager to know how many balls we required and where and when we needed them. We evaluated who needed extra work and on what. All the coaches and managers had minute by minute details and instructions written on 3 x 5 cards. I loved working with my team and loved practices.  Since retiring, I don’t miss the games, but I miss the preparation for the games. We would be so well prepared that once the game started, I thought I could just go up in the stands and the team would not miss me, because they knew what to do.

(One-On One, Day 40)

Today, on this feast of the Ascension, we don’t celebrate Jesus’ retirement, but we do acknowledge the fact that 40 days after his resurrection, on a mountain in Galilee, “he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from the sight of the apostles.”

Practice was over, now it was time for the game.  Of course, the disciples would miss their master and friend, but would they know what to do??  Had Jesus taught them well enough that he could now just sit up in the stands and watch?

Jesus, of course,  tried his best to teach the Apostles what they should do and say.  Some of the lessons he taught them just during the Easter season have been: Peace be with you.  As the Father has sent me, so I send you. Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.

Oh how foolish you are!  How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke.  He took bread, said the blessing, broke it and gave it to them.  With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him.  The shepherd walks ahead of the sheep and they follow because they recognize his voice.  I am the gate, whoever enters through me will be saved.  I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me. If you love me, you will keep my commandments. John the Baptist baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

Practice is over.  Jesus has been taken from their sight.

Have the disciples listened?

Have we been listening?

If so, then we should know what to do:

All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations - teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.