The Feast of Ascension : C: May 29, 2022

 ASCENSION OF THE LORD JESUS TO HEAVEN

First Reading: Acts 1: 1-11

Second Reading: Ephesians 1: 17-23

Gospel Reading: Luke 24: 46-53

   *First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. A vivid description about Jesus' final instructions to His disciples and His glorious Ascension to heaven is given. Jesus promises His disciples that they will receive  the Holy Spirit- the power from above. He commands them to be witnesses to Him in Jerusalem and throughout the whole world.

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Ephesians. Paul explains to the Ephesian community and us the theological meaning and the implications of the Ascension of Jesus. He says, "God has glorified Jesus by raising Him above all earthly powers and making Him head of the Church and the Lord of creation."

Jesus is taken up to heaven                                                                            Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. On the day of His Ascension, the risen Lord sums up for His disciples the meaning of His death and His resurrection. Jesus then commissions them to preach the good news to all nations. Before they begin their mission journeys, they are asked to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit who will be their teacher and guide. Jesus then blesses them and departs to heaven as they are watching. Apostles are filled with great joy when they realize what has happened to Jesus. Now they realize that not only Jesus is risen from the dead but that He is now in heavenly glory, seated at the right hand of God the Father. Although Jesus has ascended into heaven we must not look upon Him as being far away from us. He wants everyone of us to be witness to His presence in the world. With His ascension Jesus withdraws His physical presence from His disciples and from the world. But physical absence does not always mean absence of presence. People can be very close to one another even though they are separated by thousands of miles. So also, although Jesus has ascended into heaven, He is very much present among us. 

"When Christ returned to heaven, he withdrew his physical presence from our sight. He didn't stop being with disciples but by the ascension fulfilled his promise to be with us to the end of the world. As his body was raised to heaven, so his power and reign have spread to the utmost parts." - J. Calvin. 

"God our Father, make us joyful in the ascension of your son Jesus Christ. May we always follow Him into the new creation, for His ascension is our glory and our hope." - A prayer