Ascension of Our Lord (Year B)

 Ascension of Our Lord May 12, 2024

Acts 1:1-11; Ephesians 1:17-23; Mark 16:15-20

(image courtesy:Google)

We celebrate the Ascension today. Does that mean that Jesus has left us, is gone? It is true we can no longer touch and see him as could the apostles and disciples. He no longer belongs to a small group but to everyone on earth who wants to accept him. He is now the Lord of all, the Lord of glory, and yet still one of us and very near, more intimate to ourselves than we are, the heart of our own heart, through his Spirit alive in us. We, the Church, have to continue the work he began and to bear witness that he is our living Lord. Let us listen to him speaking in this Eucharist and give glory to him and to the Father.

A little girl, on her way home from church, turned to her mother and said, "Mommy, the Preacher's sermon this morning confused me." The mother said, "Oh! Why is that?" The girl replied, "Well, he said that God is bigger than we are. Is that true?" "Yes, that's true," the mother replied. "He also said that God lives within us. Is that true too?" Again, the mother replied, "Yes." "Well," said the girl. "If God is bigger than us and He lives in us, wouldn't He show through?" Does Jesus really show through in your life and mine?

Today's feast honors our belief in Christ's presence throughout the universe and places it alongside the call for us to become the vessels through which this presence is revealed. It is His presence within us that imposes the duties of discipleship, compelling us to proclaim Him. The enigma of the Ascension lies in the inseparability of His presence within us and our testimony to Him.

The Ascension of our Lord, though an event from the distant past, leaves us with enduring words that compel us to be his witnesses in today's world, just as the first Apostles were. Therefore, the feast of the Ascension celebrates not a farewell, but the ongoing and dynamic presence of Jesus within the church. Jesus instructs his disciples to "make disciples" of all nations, thereby entrusting them with his mission and authority. This mandate will be solidified at Pentecost. The disciples are empowered to reconcile sinners with God and the community, discerning who may not yet be prepared for reconciliation and full community involvement. Today's Gospel outlines four elements of this mission: to evangelize by sharing the life and vision of Jesus, to perpetuate Jesus' healing work, both physical and spiritual, to embrace the power of the Holy Spirit, and to acknowledge the abiding presence of Jesus.

The Ascension holds deep spiritual truths that continue to resonate with us today.

First and foremost, the Ascension reminds us of the divinity of Christ. In his earthly life, Jesus walked among us, teaching, healing, and ministering to the needs of the people. But with his Ascension, he transcended the limitations of human existence and reclaimed his rightful place at the right hand of God. This momentous event reaffirms Jesus' identity as the Son of God and the fulfillment of divine prophecy.

Moreover, the Ascension signifies the completion of Jesus' mission on earth. From his birth in Bethlehem to his crucifixion and resurrection, Jesus' life was dedicated to the salvation of humanity. Through his teachings and ultimate sacrifice, he offered us the promise of redemption and eternal life. And now, as he ascends to heaven, he entrusts us with the responsibility of continuing his work here on earth.

In this sense, the Ascension is not an ending but a new beginning. It marks the transition from Jesus' physical presence to his spiritual presence, which remains with us always. As he promised his disciples before ascending, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matt 28:20) In our moments of doubt and despair, we can take comfort in the knowledge that Christ is ever-present, guiding and sustaining us on our journey of faith.

Furthermore, the Ascension serves as a powerful reminder of our own destiny as followers of Christ. Just as Jesus ascended to heaven, so too are we called to lift our hearts and minds to higher things. We are called to transcend the limitations of our earthly existence and strive for the things that are above. As the Apostle Paul writes, "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." (Col 3:2)

This does not mean that we are to neglect our earthly duties or responsibilities. On the contrary, our faith calls us to engage fully with the world around us, working to build a society that reflects the values of the kingdom of God. But at the same time, we are reminded that our ultimate allegiance lies not with the things of this world, but with our heavenly home.

Finally, the Ascension of Our Lord is a moment of profound mystery and wonder, inviting us to contemplate the divine majesty of Christ and the promise of our own salvation. As we journey through life, may we always keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. And may we, like the disciples who witnessed his Ascension, be filled with joy and awe at the knowledge of his abiding presence in our lives.

Happy Feast