Ascension Sunday
The Ascension does not mean that Jesus has gone from us..
Readings for: 7th Sunday of Easter-The Ascension of Our Lord
Reading 1 Acts 1:1-11
Psalm Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9
Reading 2 Ephesians 1:17-23
Gospel Matthew 28:16-20
REFLECTIONS:… from Father Daniel
The first reading and the Gospel carry the main message: The Ascension does not mean that Jesus has gone from us. The Gospel writers want to tell us that after the resurrection of Jesus the Church began a long journey always in the company of its Master, though he was no longer visibly present. After Easter the Church, now fully grown, is no longer always looking up to heaven. The second reading completes the message and reminds us that the Christian vision of the world is not limited by the boundaries of this life.
St. Leo the Great preached on this occasion centuries ago, “Christ’s Ascension is our own Ascension; Christ has gone away only to be available through the spirit in the sacraments. And because He lives with us, where the head has gone, the body hopes to follow.” And St. Augustine tells us, “Today Jesus Christ our Lord went up to heaven, Let our hearts go up with Him.” The Ascension of the Lord teaches us three great lessons: It shows us the full glory of the resurrection, a preview of God’s plan for all of us; It tells us that Christ is still with us; and it tells us we have a job to do - to make disciples of all nations, to baptize and to teach.
When life is comfortable for us, we don’t like to see things change. That was true of the Apostles too. The Apostles didn’t want Jesus to leave them, but Jesus challenged them to love from comfortable familiarity with him to a new way to be with him. Sometimes Jesus challenges us to move into unfamiliar territory in little ways and sometimes in major ways. Because God has better things ahead for us. And, if we stay one with him, we shall one day share his glory. That is our hope, no matter what comes our way. The feast of Ascension reminds us of the eternal life we are called to. Pope Francis said, “ You will never have a better tomorrow if you are always thinking of yesterday. Remember, step past the past and face the future.”
