Today we celebrate Christ... He has opened the way for us to follow Him
Reflections on the readings for the Ascension of the Lord (May 26, 2022): ACTS 1:1-11; PS 47:2-3,6-7,8-9; EPH 1:17-23; LK 24:46-53
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
Pope Francis has said about the Ascension: “In Christ, true God and true man, our humanity was taken to God. Christ opened the path to us. … If we entrust our life to Him, if we let ourselves be guided by Him, we are certain to be in safe hands, in the hands of our Savior.”
In the liturgical readings today, first hear about the Ascension from the Acts of the Apostles. It comes from the very beginning of that book which is actually a continuation of the Gospel according to St. Luke. The author reconfirms that he had “dealt with all that Jesus did and taught until the day He was taken up” (Acts 1:1-2). All are reminded of the many appearances Jesus had made to various disciples after His Resurrection. And, finally, our Lord tells them that “‘You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ When He had said this, as they were looking on, He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him from their sight” (Acts 1:8-9). Then our Savior ascended to our Heavenly Father.
Sometimes, it may seem that the Ascension was a farewell between Christ and His followers. After all, the Holy Spirit would come to grant them the gifts they would need to minister to His people and spread the Good News far and wide, while Jesus had returned to heaven. Yet that is not actually the case, He lead the way for us to our eternal home, but the Head of the Church could never truly leave His Body. Pope Francis has said about the Ascension: “In Christ, true God and true man, our humanity was taken to God. Christ opened the path to us. … If we entrust our life to Him, if we let ourselves be guided by Him, we are certain to be in safe hands, in the hands of our Savior.” The Blessed Trinity is uniquely joined to the lives of all those who follow the way of our Redeemer. Indeed, we disciples are bonded through our Lord with each other. As often as we may feel alone, separate from one another, and even from God Himself, let us pause to recognize the reality of our connection in time and eternity. We are witnesses to the Eternal Word. We are children of the Almighty. We are only temporarily creatures of time and of earth. We are meant to be heirs of heaven, of everlasting life.
Suggested missionary action: As we commemorate the Ascension of our Lord, we can make a commitment to be witnesses for Him. Just as the Apostles and other disciples shared His message, we can, too, by living the life He asks of us and by communicating His love and truth with others each day.