THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD, May 21, 2023
(Acts 1:1-11; Ephesians 1:17-23; Matthew 28:16-20)
Today we celebrate one of the biggest feasts of the
liturgical year. The Solemnity of the Ascension commemorates the second part of
the triumph of Jesus Christ over death. As we profess in the Creed, “…he rose
again on the third day…and ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right
hand of the Father…” With the presence of Jesus, the Father will send the Holy
Spirit to complete the victory.
For a moment our posture towards the Ascension is that of
the apostles in the first reading. We are left in awe admiring the glory of God
in heaven. However, as the angels rouse the eleven to action, we must consider
what the Ascension means today. The gospel helps us with this task.
The passage constitutes the very end of the Gospel according
to Saint Matthew. Jesus has already risen and ascended to heaven. He now
appears to his disciples as promised since the discovery of the empty tomb.
They go to the designated mountain. When they see Jesus, they fall down in
adoration. However, some of them doubt that it is really he. They are like many
today who say that it has never happened that a person has risen from the dead.
Of course, Jesus’ resurrection is a unique event in history made possible by
his relationship to God the Father as the only begotten Son.
The second reading says that Jesus, seated at the right hand
of the Father, has all power in heaven, on earth and even in the future.
Because Jesus tells the apostles that he has been given all power, we know that
he has already ascended to heaven. The power will be used for the good of all.
This is why he commands, "'Go therefore and teach all nations'". It
is the first step in his plan to renew the world in love.
This phrase is echoed at the end of every Eucharist. After
the blessing, the priest or deacon says, “Go in peace” sometimes adding “and
announce the gospel”. Jesus sends us today as his apostles to evangelize the
inhabitants of the world. This mission is accomplished by "teaching them
to observe all that I have commanded you." We have the Sermon on the Mount
as a model of the breadth and depth of this task. The lesson will include love
even for the enemy, modesty even to keeping lustful eyes in check, pleasing God
to the point of shunning praise, and practicing justice until our society
shines like a city on a mountaintop.
Still the instruction is not yet complete. Jesus adds the
need to baptize. The baptism forms a spiritual nation overlaying the different
cultures and peoples that comprise the world. It draws all who heed Jesus’ word
into one body – the Church – with him as its head to bring about world peace.
Even more than we do, Jesus realizes the enormity of this
mission. It will involve billions of people for generations, centuries, even
millenniums. Therefore, Jesus does not hesitate to add, "'... I will be
with you always ... '" He fulfills this promise by sending the Holy Spirit
to bring about his presence. The Spirit encourages us with trust in Jesus. It moves us to turn to him in trouble. Above
all, it transforms bread and wine into his body and blood to strengthen our
weakness.
We live in a skeptical time. Even people who claim belief in
God do not practice all his commands. With the Ascension Jesus sends us
especially to those among us who doubt. With his support we are to teach them
the breadth and depth of Jesus’ wisdom. Even more, we are to invite them to
share the love of his body, the Church.
