The Ascension of the Lord

Can you remember what it was like when your parents prepared you for starting school? Can you remember their advice or parting words as you went off to high school, or maybe college, or perhaps when you got married? Did they have any words of wisdom to share ... any last-minute instructions before leaving you?

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 At the Vigil Mass:

Entrance Antiphon: Ps 68(67):33, 35 – “You kingdoms of the earth, sing to God; praise the Lord, who ascends above the highest heavens; His majesty and might are in the skies, alleluia.

First Reading: Acts 1:1-11 – “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky?”

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 47:2-3, 5, 6, 8 – “God mounts His throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.”

Second Reading: Heb 9:24-28; 10:19-23 – “Christ has entered into heaven itself”

Alleluia: Mt 28:19a, 20b – Alleluia, alleluia. “Go and teach all nations, says the Lord; I am with you always, until the end of the world.” Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Lk 24:46-53 – “As He blessed them, He was taken up to heaven.”

Communion Antiphon: Heb 10:12 – “Christ, offering a single sacrifice for sins, is seated forever at God’s right hand, alleluia.”

At the Mass during the Day:

Entrance Antiphon: Acts 1:11 – “Men of Galilee, why gaze in wonder at the heavens? This Jesus whom you saw ascending into heaven will return as you saw Him go, alleluia.

*** The Liturgy of the Word is identical to the Vigil Mass. ***

Communion Antiphon: Mt 28:20 – “Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age, alleluia.”

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In two of today’s readings, we hear accounts of Jesus’ Ascension. Before leaving, Jesus had last-minute instructions for the disciples that focused the most important things for them to remember as they took on His mission ... the mission which became the mission of the Church. We see Jesus telling the disciples to be witnesses to “the ends of the earth” of the Good News they had seen and experienced. Namely, the Good News to be shared was the Life, Death and Resurrection of Jesus. In those events, they were exposed to the love and the forgiveness that have the power to bring about repentance.

    The author of Acts addresses Theophilus, which means “Beloved of God.” The messages of the Acts of the Apostles and, in fact, all of Jesus’ messages through His life were for all of us who are all “beloved of God.” We ultimately received the power of the Spirit in Baptism. At that time, we were commissioned ... in other words … we need to share what we have seen and heard. We need to share what we believe as disciples … by what we say, what we do, and by how we act in our daily lives.

    One thing I found curious was that the disciples were not sad when Jesus left. The Gospel tells us that, as Jesus blessed the disciples, He was carried into heaven. The disciples are described as worshipping Jesus and then returning to Jerusalem with great joy. It seems they had profound trust in Jesus’ assuring them of the Father’s promise of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps they had that confidence that comes with a sense of mission. Perhaps it was Jesus’ promise that they would be “clothed with power from on high.” We, too, can count on the Holy Spirit and on being “clothed with power from on high” as we take on witnessing to the Good News.

    Jesus was clear that “repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be in His name to all the nations.” When you think about it, the disciples had witnessed over and over Jesus’ forgiveness of others and themselves. They knew Jesus’ forgiveness was offered to all. They had witnessed this especially during His last day, as He hung upon the cross. “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” They also heard Him preach it: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you ... Forgive and you will be forgiven” (Lk 6:27-28, 37b).

    As Christians, we are called to share the Good News of Jesus in our part of the world. So individually … personally, how do you live out this commission in your life? I think that there are lots of possibilities: Perhaps it’s the way you love and forgive your children and / or the way you relate to your spouse, your co-workers, your neighbors, or your classmates. Maybe it is in a more formal way like teaching in your parish catechetical program ... working with the children of the Parish or with the adults in OCIA ... perhaps it’s being a sponsor for catechumens or Confirmation candidates, sharing in the marriage preparation process, serving as a Lector, an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, an Usher, or an Altar Server, or as a musician or singer. Maybe it’s inviting a neighbor or friend to join the Church or to attend Mass with you on Sunday ... perhaps it’s participating in Christ-Life, Living-Christ, or helping to facilitate parish retreats … maybe taking part in justice-oriented events, or planning and implementing missionary activities. There are a myriad of ways to consciously and personally fulfill your commission to share the Good News of Jesus.

All of God’s beloved are commissioned to share with others the Good News of Jesus Christ ... especially repentance and forgiveness of sins through the grace of God. In Baptism, we were all “clothed with power from on high” to proclaim the kingdom of God through our personal choices of activities that carry the Gospel message to all nations. Each of us needs to be doing our part. The Ascension of Jesus happened a long time ago. The thing to remember is that the parting words of Jesus are to be taken to heart and carried out today as courageously and enthusiastically as the Apostles did in their day. Each of us need to find our own personal ways to do this.

Even though we heard about Jesus’ departure in today’s readings through His Ascension, we know that Jesus remains with us in the gift of the Eucharist. Each time we celebrate in remembrance of Him, He continually nourishes us for the mission of sharing the Good News with all the world.