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An Alumnus' Reflection on the Feast of Jesus Christ's Ascension
An English Letters alumnus, Bramanda Ryan, sent his reflection in reminiscing his moments as an English Letters student. He was from batch 2013. He was the president of the department's student association. Thus, he handled student activities with his fellow students at that time. Now, he is a "Frater" preparing for his service as a priest. In his reflection, he relates his experience at the English Letters Department in Universitas Sanata Dharma (USD) with this year's celebration of Jesus Christ's ascension. He revealed that his experiences let him find various forms of services requiring adaptation, and those experiences added new "material" to his life.
Here is Bram's writing:
Here is Bram's writing:
One of the central teachings in the Christian faith, perhaps the most controversial, is the belief in Jesus Christ's resurrection. Of course, doubts about Jesus' resurrection are common and understandable because it is not a "natural" event. It is not something we can find and encounter in our days. However, that is what Christians believe and claim. Jesus is indeed risen! For Christians, denying the resurrection of Jesus means denying all historical evidence and eyewitness testimonies that confirm the resurrection. I won't talk much about the core of the Christian faith here. Maybe we can explore that together on another occasion.
The interesting claim about the resurrection event is that Jesus rose bodily. In fact, after being resurrected, He appeared and ate fish before disciples to convince them that He had indeed risen (cf. Luke 24:42-43). His presence is genuine and authentic. Then, when He ascended to heaven physically, this was something good to think about. Before the incarnation event, God was a spirit. It has no "material" or form. When Jesus, God's Word, came into the world, He took human form and was born of the virgin Mary. He is the first source of everything (causa prima). However, the incarnation event required Him to embrace "materiality" as a human being. When Jesus had completed His mission, His body was not left in the world. His physical body was also glorified, and ascended to heaven. Of course, this is a sign that God includes humanity as "new material" within Himself. Now, humanity finds a place in the Triune God through the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ.
Contemplating the resurrection and ascension of Jesus into heaven reminds me the time I studied English Literature at USD (2013-2017). I still remember my first experience on campus very well. Over time, I became involved in various learning activities, student organizations, event committees, and community service. A lot of "new material" became part of my life. Apart from the intellectual abilities I learned while studying English literature, which, of course, is common knowledge that USD English Literature is of superior quality, I also learned a lot from experiences with fellow students and lecturers outside of college.
I miss the meetings with friends until late at night, riding motorbikes looking for ayam geprek or warmindo that were still open, sharing outside of class with several friends and lecturers, or talking about mendoan, coffee, and even international politics. Sometimes, I also miss the warning from Mbak Ninik (study program secretariat) if there was an incomplete report of an event. Ah, what a beautiful memory!
I am grateful to be able to experience them all and make it my "body." I have no regrets when I look back at my various experiences so far. There is only gratitude. Thank goodness I studied English Literature at USD! Thank God I have lecturers who care! I have friends who help me grow! I am grateful that all these good memories can strengthen and remind me that God is so good in my life.
Hopefully, through the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord, which is celebrated on May 9 this year, we will always be made aware of the greatness of His love, which is sometimes overlooked. As He brought "His material" up to heaven, He also provides "materials" to help us journey to heaven. Hopefully, we can choose good "material" so we can one day be with Him while telling him about the "materials" we brought before Him.
Happy celebrating the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord Jesus.
God bless.
(SAM)
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(SAM)
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