JESUS ASCENTS TO HEAVEN
Introduction: Today we celebrate the feast of Ascension: The day Jesus returned to the heavenly Father after His death and resurrection. For the disciples, the ascension of Jesus marked the beginning of a new and challenging chapter in their life. From now on, they are without the physical presence of Jesus amidst them. For three years, Jesus lead them from the front, taught them by example, trained them to be fishers of men, gave them a thirst for heavenly things. This separation, though painful, is for the good of the disciples. Jesus knew that it was a time for Him to entrust the helm in the hands of His disciples. He assures them: 'It is for your benefit that I leave you, for after I leave, I will send you the Holy Spirit, who will guide and teach you." Jn. 16: 6.
First Reading: Acts 1: 1 to 11
Second Reading: Ephesians 1: 17 to 23
Gospel Reading: Matthew 28: 16 to 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 talk, 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 the meaning and the significance of 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 the Lord Jesus to heaven is narrated. After the resurrection of Jesus, on a (particular) mountain in Galilee, Jesus gives instructions to His disciples who are gathered there. He tells them that all authority in heaven and on earth is given to Him by God the Father. He commands them to go to the whole world and to make disciples. They are to baptize 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 with His disciples to guide them at all times.
Conclusion: 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, through Sacraments and by His presence in the Holy Eucharist. 4. Jesus' ascension gives us that firm hope that one day, those who believe in Him will participate in His heavenly glory.
May the Lord Jesus, who ascended into heaven, bless you and strengthen your faith in Him and lead you to eternal glory in heaven. Amen.
(Kindly note: Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph is available on YouTube. Please view, like, share and subscribe to the video version on YouTube. "YouTube/Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph, May 17, 2026. Thanks.)
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