The Cloud, The Angels, The Ascension...

My column this week up at Patheos takes a look at the Ascension -- trying to highlight the fantastic as well as sublime aspects of it  -- while gaining an appreciation for Jesus' continued proximity to us... here's a snippet:

It reads like a movie finale, complete with special effects…

Jesus and his truest companions are in the soul-stirring closing scene.

Strong, important, curious words are uttered, recorded for posterity.

 …wait for the promise of the Father…

 …you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit…

 …you shall receive power…

 …you shall be my witnesses…

… to the end[s] of the earth. (See Acts 1: 4, 5, 8, RSV-CE.)

The proverbial torch is passed to the noble characters that remain faithful. Then, in a moment worthy of high-priced special effects, the leading man puts a seeming end to the story as he is enveloped and transported from view…

 “…as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.” (Acts 1:9)  

You expect the credits to roll up. But wait…

The rest.