Breaking the Death Barrier – Br. Geoffrey Tristram

“You’ve been living in Boston for nearly ten years, and you’ve not been to Fenway Park?” That’s what a friend of mine said to me some months ago, and he promptly went out to buy a couple of tickets. And so it was one late afternoon we were lining up outside the stadium among the crowds, waiting for the Red Sox to meet the LA Angels. Well, all I can say is that I was well and truly smitten. It was one of the most exciting evenings I’ve ever had. It was an incredible game. But what I most remember is the time just before the game began. The crowds were alive with excited expectancy and anticipation. Kids were jumping up and down in excitement. They knew this was going to be a special game and the atmosphere of expectancy was electric.

That experience of my first Red Sox game came back to me as I was reflecting on today’s Gospel. Those disciples must have been absolutely filled with a sense of expectancy and anticipation. Something amazing was about to happen. Jesus has just ascended into heaven, and we read “the disciples returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and they were continually in the Temple blessing God.” (Lk 24:52-53) They were probably singing, praying, even dancing in their joy. I wonder what the others in the Temple thought? What’s up with them? What are they so excited about?

Their excitement came from this incredible sense of anticipation. Something was about to happen. Jesus had promised, a few verses earlier, that something was going to happen to them. “I am going to send upon you what my Father promised: so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” (Lk 24:49)

And they weren’t disappointed: for soon it did happen: the intense experience of Pentecost, which pounded their senses, and set their hearts on fire.

But now, this time between the Ascension of Jesus and the coming of the Holy Spirit, the liturgical time we are in now, was one of joyful and thrilling anticipation and expectancy.

So what was it all about?  The disciples knew that because of Jesus’ resurrection something tremendously important had happened to Jesus – but as yet they could hardly get their minds around how Jesus’ resurrection could directly affect them. Indeed, I might ask you today – how does his resurrection directly affect you? It’s good for Jesus – but how can it be good news for me?

For many years, one of the great barriers to man’s technological progress was the sound barrier. Fighter pilots towards the end of the Second World War went into deep dives, often taking them very close to the speed of sound. The planes would shake violently, the controls freeze, and they were often shattered to pieces. It took until 1947 before one man, Chuck Yeager, flew successfully through the sound barrier. Only 30 years later, passengers aboard supersonic aircraft could effortlessly pass through the sound barrier while sipping a glass of champagne!

For most people, the most frightening and daunting barrier to pass through is not the sound barrier, but the death barrier. Death, the final enemy. Death has throughout the history of humankind been the ultimate barrier, the end, the unspeakable, the tragic – the ultimate barrier.

The story of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection is of how one man passed through the death barrier – and was raised to life, never to die again. But then, and this is what those disciples waiting in the Temple were to discover, the story of Jesus’ ascension and gift of the spirit at Pentecost is of how we, too, can pass through that barrier with Jesus, our pioneer.

The Ascension was the means by which Jesus was able to share the fruits of his redemptive love with us – share his victory over death with us. It is as if from that place of exaltation, at the right side of his Father, that Jesus is able, as in those great Orthodox icons of the resurrection, to reach out his hand and grasp our hand, and pull us after him through the death barrier, and into life eternal.

“I, if I be lifted up, will draw all people unto myself.” (John 12:32)

No wonder the disciples went into the Temple filled with rejoicing and anticipation. For the coming gift of the Holy Spirit would be the means though which they would be incorporated into the Risen Lord, and would pass with him through death to life. Jesus is, as the Letter to the Hebrews puts it, “the pioneer of our salvation.” (Heb 2:10)

And that is very good news. That is something worth being excited by. Something to celebrate with joy.

Next week is Pentecost, when we gather to celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit who gives us the power to become one with the Risen Christ, and who takes us with him through death to life.

So how should we prepare now for that great event? One way, I think, is to get in touch again with the Living Lord, the one who through Jesus has promised to lead us through the experience of death – to raise us from death to life. That should fill us with excitement and joy, like those first disciples in the Temple.

Secondly, you don’t have to wait till you have died to receive the gift of eternal life – it begins now. When we receive the Holy Spirit into our lives, we are already, now being transformed, being made alive – already in the process of passing from death to life.

So maybe today we can ask ourselves:

Where are there signs of resurrection in my life right now? What is dying? What needs to die?

How am I being transformed and brought to life by God’s Holy Spirit?

Where, maybe, am I resisting God’s Spirit?

Where do I still cling to the old life, to old habits, which lead to death?

“Behold,” Jesus says, “I came that you may have life – and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10) Claim that life today! For the message of Ascension is REJOICE!  For the best is yet to come!

Amen.

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14 Comments

  1. Claudia Booth on June 3, 2019 at 21:22

    Yes, thank you!

  2. Rhode on June 3, 2019 at 17:22

    The Resurrection of Jesus and His Ascension is the backbone of my hope in Christ. And, I do believe with all my heart, God loves us so much as to want us with Him, always, perfected for His glory – starting here, now. Through this spiritual lens each of us is immortal and loved. No ‘ordinary’ beings we – as C.S.Lewis quote on immortality in the ‘Weight of Glory’. My rash judgments, fears and opinions are best filtered through Christ’s amazing grace. Better to focus on loving God and each other everyday. Our physical death will happen and I do ask God to help me and my family (who do not believe) prepare for that day. Emotionally and financially. The reality of death is a looming spectre if we are not LIVING the gospel of hope which Jesus offers each day through His life, death and resurrection.

  3. Marta on May 11, 2018 at 12:45

    In response to Roderic’s questioning and goal-setting, I think, perhaps, we continue in that back and forth mode, always striving and seldom meeting the goal, which is just like Life. The important thing is to keep trying, and keep praying, to move closer to that goal in this life . . . . . . Thank you so much for this sermon. I have much work to do, the time is short!

  4. Ruth West on June 24, 2015 at 18:26

    Br. Geoffrey, thank you for the questions in this sermon. It was a good exercise in self-examination which I needed.
    As I approach the time of “breaking the sound barrier”, I pray that the transition can be peaceful.
    May God bless you! “The joy of the Lord is my strength.”

  5. Joanna. Cotter on May 15, 2015 at 08:33

    Thank you Brother. Anticipation remains multi-faceted as one can fear the challenge or opportunity then fail to act or accept the challenge & find hope, perhaps joy or a centering which allows a closer look @ self as well as an openness to the Lord. Yet resistance can continue to rear its stubborn head. I feel joy singing the Fraction Anthem prior to Communion & when I dance or see a flower open, but when I fail to give up having the last word w/an equally stubborn loved one, I feel disappointment . Maybe today I will succeed. Peace

  6. Joyce McGirr on May 14, 2015 at 13:19

    I hold on to that hand a lot! Thank you for your deep and inspiring message. Joyce

  7. John Backman on May 14, 2015 at 09:16

    I have never understood what to do with the time between Ascension Day and Pentecost. More often than not, I’ve thought of it as a time of anxious waiting–perhaps because I focused overly on the Acts account and not on what the Gospel of Luke says about the disciples. The idea of joyful anticipation is MUCH better! Thank you for pointing this out: it will make MY Ascensiontide experience much better too!

  8. Roderic Brawn on May 14, 2015 at 05:43

    I have to say that when I meet the challenges of everyday life I constantly wonder if I am ponying-up in the way I ought to pony-up. I mean am I living the way God and Jesus would have me. To listen to the Holy Spirit provides a person with a lighthouse on the seas on life. Still, taking on all of the responsibility for things that go on around oneself without remembering we are not alone can be a daunting task. Taking up our path can be a challenge. I pray I rise to the occasion, and that I am following the way God asks, because knowing I am makes the journey more easily taken.

  9. jane goldring on May 31, 2014 at 13:15

    Geoffrey your homily came at just the right time for me. it makes you stop and think. we know our Lord is there for us and will help us through our life. thanks geoffrey for that homily. i will print this and show it to john. jane

  10. Margaret Dungan on May 30, 2014 at 22:40

    Br.. Gefforey,

    Thank you . You have a wonderful way of blowing away the fog that often embraces my thinking.
    Margaret.

  11. DLa Rue on December 2, 2013 at 08:02

    Well, I suppose it’s alright, as long as you realize that putting ones *faith* in the Red Sox is not a good idea…they’re a heartbreak team, most years.

    This year just happened to be one of the good ones.

    But of course, by now, you’ve probably figured all that out…

  12. Charles Groves III on May 24, 2010 at 10:49

    Thank you for this VERY HELPFUL and INSPIRING sermon.

  13. Jeff Jones on May 24, 2010 at 06:34

    Thank you for the gift of these sermons and the website. We use the sermons in our weekly Centering Prayer gathering and they are always appreciated. Thanks again
    Jeff

  14. Sally Stuckey on May 21, 2010 at 05:09

    What a thrill to enjoy, with you, your trip to the Red Sox game, the anticipation was electric!!!

    I put a lot of “head time” into my fears of a lonely death and that unknown place beyond. You have alerted me to the many signs of reserection in my life. And you have given some important questions to ponder….My continuing prayer is to stay in touch with Him who loves us and promises to “help us through the barrier”.

    Thank you so much

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