It’s today.
I love this picture so much.
I’ve learned that the iconography of the disappearing feet is a pretty late medieval development – more on that at Ad Imaginem Dei – and that there is lots more of it. The earlier iconography of the ascension is equally awesome, though.
Much more recently, Salvador Dali’s vision of the event is also fabulous.
A handful of resources:
- Stephen T. Davis, “The Meaning of the Ascension for Christian Scholars,” Reformed Journal (2007)
- Gerritt Scott Dawson, “Seven Things to Like About the Ascension” at Union Resources
- Greg Moore & Cameron Merrill, “Claiming Holy Ground,” in Ministry Matters (2016)
- Peter Mulholland, The theology of the ascension, Durham e-theses (1998) – particularly wonderful
- Fr Stephen Wang, “The Ascension of Jesus into Heaven” – YouTube, about 26 minutes
To say nothing of Douglas B. Farrow’s Ascension Theology and its various commentators (like here and here and here).
He ascended to heaven …
the Apostles’ Creed
One more thing: here’s the beautiful interior of Ascension Catholic Church, Oak Park, Illinois, a place and a congregation that has my undying gratitude and affection for being open to an anonymous wanderer on her way back to church.
Originally published on the Feast of the Ascension, May 26, 2022
Matters of Interpretation 
