FROM THE PULPIT SOLEMNITY OF THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD REFLECTION
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SOLEMNITY OF THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD
HOLY SCRIPTURE: Acts 1: 1-11; Psalm 47; Ephesians 1: 17-23; Mark 16: 15-20.
Reflection: Ascension and Mission.
Fr. Benoit Mukamba, CSSp.
The Ascension of the Lord celebrates Jesus' entry into the heavenly realm after his earthly life. The Son of God entered our world through the mystery of the Incarnation. He concluded his human life through the Paschal mystery that is his passion, death, resurrection and return to the Eternal Father. The Apostles’ Creed declares that Jesus “was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father almighty.” Hence, Ascension memorizes here on earth what takes place in heaven as Lord Jesus enters and takes possession of his glorious throne.
It is impossible for us to pin down chronologically what happens in heaven. The scripture passages of today’s Mass describe what happened in the life of the Apostles simultaneously with what was occurring with the Risen Lord for a period of time, let’s say, forty days after Easter. During this period, the Apostles experienced the appearances and disappearances of the Risen Lord. They received instructions and clarification of the Scriptures during their encounters with the Risen Jesus. Finally, Jesus gave the disciples a final command to bring the good news to the entire world. He assured them his accompaniment in their ministries. Very importantly, the Apostles knew by then what to do with their lives marked by the events of Jesus of Nazareth. “They went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the work through accompanying signs” (Mark 16: 20).
Today's Gospel ends with the great commissioning of the disciples. Life has suddenly changed for the disciples, so it has with us today, with the Lord's commandment: "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am always with you, until the end of my age. This commandment is the mission of the Church. Christ's assurance of his presence makes the Church his new way of being with us, his body. That is why we are the Body of Christ. As the Body of Christ, we must continue his mission. Christ does not only give us a mission without giving us the means. Next Sunday, we will celebrate the Church's reception of the Empowering Spirit, the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that propels us and guides us in the work of evangelization. We are sent to win people for Christ as an individual member of the Church, as a parish church, as a diocesan church and as a universal church.
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, we have been commissioned and received the empowerment to share the Good News of our salvation. Let us have the courage to approach our fellow brothers and sisters inviting them to believe in Jesus and be baptized for the salvation of their souls. Let us be bold to tell the story of how Jesus has transformed our life and the reason for our hope. Tell the story of how sin and death are no longer a threat to you for Christ has defeated both of them. Jesus’ Ascension is a proof of his victory.
