https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051621-Sunday.cfm
I quote:
“Therefore, it is necessary that one of the men
who accompanied us the whole time
the Lord Jesus came and went among us,
beginning from the baptism of John
until the day on which he was taken up from us,
become with us a witness to his resurrection.”
end quote
One of the approaches to reading Scripture is knowing what to read literally, and reading that which is metaphor attempting to communicate a truth by poetic means. The ascension of Jesus may well represent an attempt to understand transformation from the material body of flesh, to that which is beyond our comprehension. The resurrection, and ascension events relayed to us by Holy Scripture are historical narratives woven by the witnesses into language that is poetic.
Jesus chose to begin His public ministry by humbling Himself, when inviting John the Baptiser to immerse Him in the flowing waters of the River Jordan. Water cleansing the past, permitting new life to replace all that we were previously. Immersion into new life in the care of The Saviour is our understanding that our life is being transformed day, by day revealing the presence of Our Father's plan tailored specifically for each of us.
A poem delivers the message of its author. That is the briefest way to state a widely held belief, taken as indisputable common sense by most people. We understand and interpret a poem by inferring the intention of the poet who wrote it. In the case of The Ascension the apostles who were witnesses to those events that Holy Scripture provides for our practical assistance.
The great poet, William Blake provides us with an example of symbolism at work attempting to deliver a truth.
The Lamb referenced in this poem, is the Lamb of God known to us as Jesus of Nazareth:
‘The Lamb’.
Little Lamb who made thee
Dost thou know who made thee
Gave thee life & bid thee feed.
By the stream & o’er the mead;
Gave thee clothing of delight,
Softest clothing wooly bright;
Gave thee such a tender voice,
Making all the vales rejoice!
Little Lamb who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee?
John Tavener's, The Lamb
end
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