Experience the sacred connection between heaven and earth in Garofalo’s Ascension of Christ. This episode invites reflection on Christ’s ongoing presence as he empowers believers through the Spirit. Discover how prayer bridges our earthly struggles with divine grace and promise.

Acts 1:7-11

In this episode of Art and Prayer, Rev. Rob McPherson guides viewers into a contemplative encounter with Benvenuto Tisi da Garofalo’s altarpiece painting, The Ascension of Christ. Created as a focal point for worship, this work masterfully bridges the earthly and heavenly realms, capturing the moment when Christ, risen and exalted, ascends into heaven while his disciples watch from below. This dual presence—Christ both with the disciples and rising above them—invites prayerful reflection on the ongoing connection between the divine and human worlds.

Garofalo’s painting serves not only as a devotional image but also as a theological statement: Christ’s ascension is not a departure but a transition that empowers the disciples—and all believers—to witness and serve empowered by the Holy Spirit. The presence of earthly powers, symbolized by the church and castle in the background, offers a subtle reminder of the complex relationship between spiritual authority and worldly governance.

Throughout the episode, viewers are invited to situate themselves among the disciples, to explore their own responses—whether awe, confusion, or hope—and to consider the significance of Christ’s wounds and his gesture pointing upward, symbolizing the connection and continuity between heaven and earth. Attention is drawn to the ethereal golden light surrounding the heavenly figures, underscoring the mystery and promise of eternal life.

Scripture from Acts 1:7–11 grounds the meditation, emphasizing the promise of the Holy Spirit’s power and the call to be witnesses to the ends of the earth. Viewers are encouraged to listen deeply—not just to the words but to the stirrings within their hearts—as they engage repeatedly with both the scripture and the painting.

As the prayer concludes, the episode reflects on the richness of Garofalo’s detailed work, reminding viewers that the journey of faith is an unfolding one, always revealing new dimensions of God’s presence and purpose. Like the altarpiece itself, this time of prayer becomes a conduit—bringing human hopes and prayers to God and bringing God’s grace and blessing into everyday life.