Ascension of the Lord (7th Sunday of Easter)

Acts 1:1-11; Eph. 1:17-23; Luke 24:46-53

Endings are never easy. Think about some of the times in your own life when you experienced something good coming to an end. Perhaps you were nearing the end of a wonderful family vacation. Maybe you were ending a job or possibly retiring after a long career. You might even remember the moments when you were saying goodbye to a loved one who was dying. While there is sadness and perhaps some fear and anxiety, those endings also signal the start of something new. Although the disciples were parting with Jesus, the new stage of their relationship with Christ was just beginning.

The feast of “The Ascension of the Lord” that we celebrate on this 7th Sunday of Easter was actually last Thursday – exactly 40 days after Easter, but because of its importance and for pastoral reasons we are allowed to move it to this Sunday, as we have done. It is celebrated 40 days after Easter. The number 40 is symbolic in the Bible. 40 is associated with a time of tribulation, punishment, penance, and renewal. Israel wandered in the desert for 40 years, three kings -Samuel, David and Solomon each reigned for 40 years, 40 days of flood in Noah’s time. Moses spent 40 days on Mt. Sinai and Jesus spent 40 days in the desert. Forty is also a biblical number of transition to a new stage of salvation history: from the desert wanderings to the land of Canaan; from Jesus’s wilderness experience to his public ministry; from the earthly presence of Jesus to his presence in the Spirit in the community of believers. 

Today’s first reading from Acts of the Apostles [1:1-11] recounts the events of the last moments and meeting of Christ with his apostles before his ascension into heaven. Christ gives a very important instruction to his Apostles. He tells them: “Do not leave Jerusalem but wait there for what the Father has promised.” Christ encourages his disciple to remain faithful. He also reminds them that their success will depend on their ability to walk with the Holy Spirit. These instructions are meant for us too. Jesus reminds us that before we set out for any undertaking, we must commend ourselves to the guidance and counsel of the Holy Spirit.

In the Gospel passage, Jesus instructed his apostles: “Stay in the city, until you are clothed with the power from on high.” We must seek this power if we are to make any positive impact on our world. As an experienced teacher, Christ knows the terrain we are about to walk. He knows how delicate the hearts of men and women of our age are. He knows how tough the task is and what it takes to be successful. He knows that only the Holy Spirit can help us. 

The Ascension is also the establishment of his Kingship and his Kingdom on absolutely unshakable ground. Earthly kings and emperors always remain vulnerable; if their enemies don't usurp them, death surely will. But Christ's reign will never come to an end. He is no longer vulnerable. Because he has ascended into heaven, his Kingdom is firm; his Church will never be destroyed. And St Paul clearly puts it in the Second Reading, “God made Christ the everlasting King, raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens, far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion ". If we stay faithful to this King, our victory over sin, evil, and injustice (and the happiness that such a victory implies) is assured. 



The last line in today’s gospel passage highlights our call as disciples of Christ. Luke writes, “They did him homage and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy” After their encounter with Christ, the disciples returned home to their places recreated full of the joy of Christ. Are we filled with same joy in our life of discipleship? Does our relationship with God the Father and Christ the Son translate joyful witness? Today’s feast serves to remind us that we are the hands and feet of the Lord in this world. We must continue the mission of Jesus and bring forth the reign of God through our worship, our work, and our relationships each day.

It is Memorial Day weekend, so let us remember, offer gratitude and honor. We remember and pray for all those who have given their lives in the defense of our nation, in the cause of freedom, in the pursuit of justice which leads to true peace. We remember and pray those who have suffered the ravages of war with physical, emotional, and psychological injury that remain for the rest of their lives and those missing in action. And let us offer profound gratitude for the unselfish sacrifices these men and women have made to God, to country and to us. As we remember, pray and express gratitude, may we always honor their memory by being watchful caretakers of the freedoms for which they gave their lives.