Starstruck vs. Stargazing

Acts 1:6-14

So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying: Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.

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Introduction

Perhaps you recall outlandish stories of celebrity encounters where individuals didn't wash their hands afterward or tried to preserve a signature they received on their arm. Of course, it's not uncommon for people to be starstruck when they meet a person of fame, but what about being starstruck by Jesus? What if we still look up toward heaven, trying to preserve that perfect moment instead of stargazing (finding inspiration for our task here and now)? Are we starstruck or stargazing disciples? And once we figure out what type of follower of Jesus we are, how will we let that revelation shape our sacred calling?

The Allure of the Past: The Golden Era

You would think that the disciples had a grasp on the situation after the resurrection of Jesus. Though even in the midst of Easter resurrection, we are reminded how powerful grief and loss are as a force. "Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6) It's easy to criticize the disciples, yet how often do we ask similar questions of Jesus, "God, when are you going to bring back people to church and fill it like back in the day," "O Lord, when you bring us back to the golden era," "Jesus when you restore what's broken and make it whole again?"

These are questions that the Church is asking today. These are questions that people in worshiping communities are asking. And these are questions that people with no religious identity are asking (though they may not use the same language). But the difference is that so often, we in the Church ask these questions from a place of nostalgia, a longing for a golden era that's long past. People outside ask these questions because their hearts realize that there is something they are missing. And if we only focus on our nostalgia or longing like the disciples, we will miss out on cultivating faith that moves beyond what was and into the places where people are yearning. 

The Anticipation of the Future: The Restoration of Creation

The other risk we face is becoming fixated on a coming moment. The robed figures question the disciples, who look hopeful for the future restoration, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven." Looking only towards the heavens is a risk because if we remain fixated on some future hope, we shirk our responsibility to be good stewards of one another and creation here and now. 

Stargazing: Inspired and Encouraged

The good news is that we can look up at the heavens filled with awe and not get starstruck enough to the point where we don't know what to do. We can look up towards the sky and stargaze like those before us. We look towards individuals like Galileo, who charted the movement of the stars even though it was heretical at the time and countless other scientists and poets who pushed the boundaries of human ingenuity and imagination, all by looking up and stargazing. Stargazing is the spiritual practice of holding the tension of a future promise with the sacred vocation our Creator has instilled in us. 

As Jesus ascends into heaven, we hear the command to go to the ends of the earth bearing God’s love. Go to the places in our community that are hurting. Go to the places where there are stomachs that need to be filled, mouths that need something to quench their thirst, rest for their weary heads, and go to places where others have been afraid to go. Give with open hearts. Hearts that are welcoming and hearts that are dedicated to reconciliation and justice. Hearts that forgive and ask for forgiveness. And hearts that find rest for themselves at the end of the day. 

Conclusion

Let us carve out moments to stargaze, looking up at the heavens and the stars and their motion. However, let us remember that we cannot remain looking towards heaven, and like the disciples, we too must go to share the good news of God's kin-dom. And like the innovators and artists who found inspiration from the stars, we, too, must push the boundaries of what it means to do church, live out our faith, and thank God each day for the marvels of today. There's one last thing I want to share, and that's a poem by e.e. cummings:

i thank You God for most this amazing
day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky;and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes
(i who have died am alive again today,
and this is the sun’s birthday;this is the birth
day of life and of love and wings:and of the gay
great happening illimitably earth)
how should tasting touching hearing seeing
breathing any—lifted from the no
of all nothing—human merely being
doubt unimaginable You?
(now the ears of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened)
(“i thank You God for most this amazing” by e.e. cummings)

I thank God for this most amazing day, a day of remembrance and celebration, and of day of knowing that our God (even though God is risen) remains with us. So be a reminder of resurrection and ascension for somebody today so they too may join in the chorus of creation. May we disciples who find inspiration in the stars. For the ascension of Jesus directs our hearts, our minds, and our bodies to remember from where it is, we find our strength and courage to continue traveling along the life way of God.