The Feast of the Ascension
Categories: work, hymns, feast-days
Date: 24 May 2012 11:57:00
First, my thanks to all for the comments, suggestions, prayers and wishes as I settle in. I have tried to comment on the posts themselves; apologies if I through forgetfulness forgot you.
A good day today. A very good day in fact. I was complimented by a client [I have started doing some small and easy reports...] and by my manager twice. From a comment of his I now believe my getting the job was a close thing; he said to me my work and my getting up-to-speed quicker than expected proved his decision to employ me correct. Excuse the bit, well a lot perhaps, of pride/boasting: it was a good thing to hear and to realise I am contributing, as Ferijen commented here. And also as my perfectionist streak can expect a bit much of me: and my forgetting of some accounting terms explained on Monday and some procedures on the Tuesday had the black dog with his anxiety barking at the gate. But, thanks be to God, through His Love and Mercy, I am learning and growing and being better able to accept and try and move on when some thoughts on a smaller-scale arise a least; but that is progress, and thanks be to God.
Today, a week later than the non-Orthodox world this year, is the Feast of the Ascension. Balaam wrote about the wonder and blessing of Christ taking "his humanity back to heaven" and what that means for us. Truly a most wondrous thing, as the kontakion below makes clear, to have Christ, the second Adam, raise up our nature to Heaven and know and believe the promise that although He has ascended, He will always be with us. Thanks and praise be to God.
A blessed Feast of the Ascension to all celebrating it...Pentecost is now just around the corner.
Troparion:
O Christ God, You have ascended in Glory,
Granting joy to Your disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit.
Through the blessing they were assured
That You are the Son of God,
The Redeemer of the world!
Kontakion:
When You had fulfilled the dispensation for our sake,
and united earth to heaven:
You ascended in glory, O Christ our God,
not being parted from those who love You,
but remaining with them and crying:
"I am with you and no one will be against you!"
(Icon from Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church)