Leave-taking of Pascha and Eve of the Feast of Christ's Ascension

Today is the end of the 40 days of Pascha.

Such an unusual Pascha, 

we end it with hope but also a sense of heartbreak.

We pray for better

and for protection of us all.

***

I put away my Pascha decorations while listening online

to the service of vespers for Ascension...

it was easier to put these treasured icons and decorations

away while listening to such hopeful joyful prayers.

***

We must remember that when Christ ascended to Heaven,

the disciples did not feel at all abandoned but instead felt joy,

as the Gospel tells us and they waited 

for the Holy Spirit to come, 

just like Christ instructed them too.

***

Now we look for Christ's Ascension, pray for the faith and hope

that the first ones felt, when they had such joy.

And we wait for the Holy Spirit and pray that Christ will

not leave us.

In the end, we can only say

Come, Lord Jesus Come.