Ascension : News From The Grotto - Thought For The Week
Submitted by The Islander (Shari Parkhill) 08.05.2008 (Article Archived on 22.05.2008)

This week in the readings, we celebrate the Ascension of Our Lord. To all of us on Ascension Island, this is a special day indeed.

 This little speck of rock in the middle of a vast ocean was discovered on the anniversary of this day, over five hundred years ago, and named Ascension for that very reason.

Yesterday we celebrated the Ascension Day Fair, the major fundraising event for St. Mary’s Church in Georgetown.  As always, the event was well attended and everyone had a great time.  For a small island with a small population, we can really turn out in support of a good cause.  We’ve proven this over the years with our enthusiasm for the fair, Dew Pond Runs, Runway Walks and other events to raise money for various charitable causes.

Living on a small, remote island gives one a real sense of community; we need to support and be there for each other.  We are so far away from the rest of the world, with only a few planes and ships to rely on.  Many of us are far from many of our loved ones.  So we depend on the kindness and help of our fellow islanders to survive and thrive on Ascension.  And it works.

This week, we celebrate both the Ascension described in vivid detail in the bible, and our very own Ascension Island, here on earth.  We are lucky to live in such a special place, surrounded by very special people.  Of course there will always be disagreements, and differing opinions and points of view.  We were given the gift of emotions, thought and reasoning by the creator.  They allow us to have our own minds, and our own views of the world.  The responsibility we have is to have an open mind, and to be accepting of others regardless of what we think about their beliefs and ideas.

This can be a challenge sometimes.  We can seriously disagree with how someone lives their life, how they think and how they act.  But if we rise above our disapproval, and accept that so long as they are not hurting anyone, we can be accepting, and live our faith.  If they cross the line into the realm where they are causing pain, then it is our duty to protect the other person, try to reason with the one causing the pain, and if necessary, do something about it.  But we must always be able to forgive.  A closed mind is a dangerous thing; a closed heart is a tragedy.