Sursum Corda

Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

                                                                    Psalm 86:4-5

Although just a boy, I can still remember vividly that moment in the liturgy when we were urged to:  "Lift up your hearts."

As one, the assembled worshippers replied in unison, "We lift them up to the Lord."  And it was just here that my heart flew from its cavity in my young chest and soared upward to Jesus in heaven.  It was like the giddy tickle you experience when your car sails over a dip in the road or when the rollercoaster you're riding in crests and begins a rapid descent.  

I held my breath in wonder.  It was ecstasy and it has never happened to me again in just the same way.

Was it real?  I know it was.  Was it worship?  God knows if it was or not.

Tomorrow marks the celebration of our Lord's ascension into heaven.  

Lift up your hearts!

And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.

And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.

And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:

And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.

                                                                    Luke 24:50-53