An Ascension Hymn

This hymn has just been written by a gifted colleague, Michael Earl, for the Sunday of the Ascension, which is less observed (!) in some faith traditions, including my own.The words are useful on more than this particular Sunday… If you are interested, the suggested tune is Leoni.

Now in this middle time,
expectant and unsure,
Lord Jesus, shall your love remain forevermore?
Will mercy still be shared,
the kingdom still arrive,
the broken hearted made anew,
the dead, alive?

For with us you have been,
your presence, God’s own will,
we pray now in your absence, you’ll be present still.
Available to all,
no bounds of time and space,
the living hope for all who look
upon your face.

We wait, we wait, to go,
your witnesses to be,
the pilgrim people of the new community.
But only in your power,
your love and joy to share,
will we the church with power, your love
and joy declare.

We raise our eyes to see
you disappear from sight,
restored to God’s right hand, you reign in power and might.
But relocate our hearts,
that though we live in you,
the suffering world would be the sphere
we witness to.

– Michael Earl, 2014