Our Savior returns home, leaving His followers to preach the Good News
Reflections on the readings for the Ascension of the Lord (May 10, 2018): ACTS 1:1-11; PS 47:2-3,6-7,8-9; EPH 1:17-23 or EPH 4:1-13; MK 16:15-20
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
What an astounding day this must have been for the Apostles and other close disciples who were with Jesus.
Their Lord and Redeemer was leaving them to return to His Father. For three years they had lived together and learned Christ’s way of mercy. They had seen His miracles and heard His promise of life everlasting. Then, except for John, Mary and several other faithful women, they had failed Jesus during His trial, torture and crucifixion. Yet, when He rose from the dead and appeared to His followers, He offered them peace and forgiveness. Now, 40 days after Christ’s Resurrection, He put His people and the future of His Church into their hands. “So then the Lord Jesus… was taken up into heaven and took His seat at the right hand of God. But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with (His disciples) and confirmed the word through accompanying signs” (Mark 16:19-20).
The people whom the Son of God loved so intimately during His days on earth were now entrusted with the eternal welfare of His children in every place and through every generation. They knew the truth and soon they would set out to share it. We continue that sharing today.
