The Feast of Ascension : A: May 21, 2023

          JESUS' ASCENSION TO HEAVEN

First Reading: Acts 1: 1-11

Second Reading: Ephesians 1: 17-23

Gospel Reading: Matthew 28: 16-20

   *First reading is from the Acts of the Apostles. St. Luke gives us a brief description of Jesus' meeting with His disciples after His resurrection. Jesus instructs them to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit and to witness to Him in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth. As they are talking to Him, Jesus is lifted up to heaven. A cloud takes Him out of their sight. The ascension of Jesus, narrated by St. Luke, strengthens our faith in the risen Lord and encourages us to go forward in faith.

   *Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Ephesians. Paul tells the Ephesian Christian community and us the meaning and the significance of the ascension of Jesus. He explains that God by raising Jesus from the dead has given Him authority and power to rule over the whole world. With His ascension, Jesus is the head of the Church and of the whole world. Those who believe in Him will accomplish great things. 

All authority in heaven and on earth is given to Jesus                                                           Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. The ascension of Jesus is narrated in great details. On a mountain in Galilee, Jesus gives instructions to His disciples who were gathered there. He tells them that all authority in heaven and on earth is given to Him by God the Father. He instructs them to go to the whole world and to make disciples. They are told to baptize the believers, 'In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit'. He promises them that He will be with them till the end of the world. Thus the ascension of Jesus is the assurance that Jesus will be will be with His disciples to guide them at all times. The feast of Ascension gives us the following messages: 1. The risen Lord is now in His heavenly glory seated at the right hand of God the Father. 2. Jesus assures us that after His ascension, He will send the Holy Spirit to guide us. 3. He promises us that even after being ascended into heaven, he will continue to be with us till the end of the world - by the Word of God and by His presence in the Holy Eucharist. 4. Jesus' ascension gives us the firm hope that (one day) those who believe in Him will participate in His heavenly glory.