This weekend we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord. Our weekend’s readings point us all in the twofold mission as Disciples of Christ: we are called to on-going continuous conversion, and we are called to bear witness to the Gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ.
In today’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles we hear of the forty days between the Resurrection of Jesus and his Ascension to heaven. During this time Jesus appears several times to his Apostles reinforcing who he is and that he is truly risen from the dead. He has a chance to regroup his Apostles and ultimately prepare them from the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Remember, for the most part, all of these people were afraid and had abandoned Christs. It’s a transitional period to address situations and questions still at hand for the Apostles to deal with. Jesus tells the disciples to “Wait for the Spirit, there is still work to do before God’s realm comes in full. The realm will come, but until then I need you to be my witnesses. T do that, you will need the Spirit to help you.” Jesus wants us to be conscious of the Holy Spirit, which is given to us at Baptism and Confirmation and is invoked at every Eucharist. He wants us to be witnesses in the world. He reassured us that he will return when the time is right.
Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians reinforces who Jesus is. He has Ascended into heaven to take his rightful place at God’s right hand. He rules over all things and is head of all things. He rules everything in heaven and earth.
The account of the Ascension in Matthew’s Gospel differs from that of St. Luke. It puts the Ascension as the foundational moment for the birth of the Church, with the clear instructions “to go make disciples in all the world.”
There is still much work for all of us to do. We like those early disciples must help to Evangelize all of God’s people by putting “Our Faith in Action!” Be safe and be filled with God’s love and grace.
