Feast of Ascension :A

" AS THEY WERE LOOKING ON, HE WAS LIFTED UP, AND A CLOUD TOOK HIM OUT OF THEIR SIGHT"

First Reading : Acts 1:1-11
Second Reading : Eph. 1:17-23
Gospel Reading: Mt 28:16-20

* First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. St. Luke gives a brief description of Jesus' appearence to his disciples after his resurrection. Jesus instructed them to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit and later they were to witness in Jerusalem, Judea , Samaria and to the end of the world.
After this, as they were talking to Him, Jesus was lifted up to heaven and a cloud took Him out of their sight. This description of Jesus' ascension is to strengthen our faith in the risen Lord.

* In the second reading from the letter of St. Paul to Ephesians, Paul gives us the meaning of Ascension of Jesus. That God by raising Jesus from the dead, he has given Him authority and power to rule over the whole world. Now he is the head of the Church and everything in this world. Those who believe in Him will accomplish great things.

Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mathew. On a mountain in Galilee, Jesus gives instruction to his disciples. He told them that all authority in heaven and earth is given to him by God the Father. He also told them to go to the whole world and make disciples. They were to baptize people in the name of Father , Son and the Holy Spirit. He promised them that he will be with them till the end of the world. Thus the Ascension of Jesus is the assurance that Jesus is with his disciples always, till the end of times.
Feast of Ascension should give us hope of life after death and strengthen us by the abiding presence of Jesus among his disciples.