THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD
(Acts 1: 1-11; Ephesians 4: 1-13; Mark 16: 15-20)
A year ago there were many demonstrations after the
murder of George Floyd. In the midst of the uproar, the police chief of a
southern city challenged the public. He asked: when will they show concern
about the homicides that occur in their own neighborhoods? The chief, an
African American, had in mind the hundreds of families in the city that each
year lose a member to violence. Unfortunately, we often get excited about
political issues such as demonstrations while ignoring the everyday ones. The
disciples of Jesus make this kind of mistake in the first reading.
Jesus is leaving his disciples to join God, his Father.
From heaven he will send the Holy Spirit to enable them to relate his message
to the world. However, instead of focusing on this challenging task, the
disciples ask about politics. They say, "Lord, are you now going to reestablish
the sovereignty of Israel?" They have in mind the kingdom of David which
included the land of Israel and the surrounding territories. Their concern
pales, at least in the long run, in comparison to what Jesus proposes to them.
Jesus has sown the seeds of a project that will cover the
entire world. He preached the Kingdom of God by announcing God’s love and
forgiveness. Then he irrigated the project with his blood so that it would take
root in his disciples. Now after his resurrection he sends his disciples to
spread the message to the corners of the earth. They are to proclaim Jesus
himself, the incarnate mercy of God, whose death made up for everyone's sins.
Now Jesus ascends to heaven. He leaves the missionaries
with eyes fixed on the clouds. They may be wondering: how are we going to
accomplish the mission without the teacher's guidance? But it was precisely to
help them with the mission that Jesus ascended. The ascension of Jesus serves
three purposes. First, it places him on the right hand of God the Father where
he has the power to accomplish wonders. The gospel tells of these when it says
that his apostles will speak new tongues, hold snakes in their hands, drink
poisons, and heal the sick. Second, from his position on high he will send the
Holy Spirit. The apostles will be ignited to preach the gospel in season and
out of season. Without the Spirit, their evangelization will not last as
long. It will be like dancing without
music. Third, Jesus is going to open a space for the human body where there
were only spiritual whiffs. With this physical space as their destination in
death, the missionaries will be motivated to carry out their task.
The second reading shows Paul preaching Christ from
prison. Because he cannot be seen in public, he delivers the message of
salvation by letter. Paul gives us an example of what we have to do. It is
necessary to evangelize, but not all will preach from the pulpit. Some, even
the majority, preach by their acts of charity. One person makes sandwiches to
take to the homeless. Another prays the rosary in front of the abortion clinic.
Another places flowers in church to create a peaceful retreat for missionaries.
Another shows affection for a problem child. Everyone has a role in the
project, each according to his or her ability.
Some still ask: Why don't we celebrate the Ascension on the fortieth day after the resurrection as the first reading indicates? But exactly what does the first reading say: that Jesus ascended on the fortieth day or that he was among his disciples for about forty days? The forty days are just a way for the author of the Acts of the Apostles to indicate that the disciples had a fair amount of time to know the risen Lord. Anyway, it is not worth worrying about. We want to focus on the mission that Jesus left to us as well as to the rest of his followers. We are to announce his love and forgiveness from our neighborhoods to the corners of the world. We are to announce his love and forgiveness.
