Ascension Sunday (Year B)
Scripture: Acts 1:1-11; Ps. 47:2-3,6-9; Eph. 4:1-13; Mk. 16:15-20
Ascension is marked after 40th day after Easter. It was celebrated all over the world last Friday but we celebrate it the following Sunday due to pastoral reasons. It is a solemnity thus it becomes the obligation to attend it even though when it comes on weekdays. It is also a faith principle recited in the creed. The Gospels of Luke and Mark narrate about the ascension of our Lord Jesus into heaven. The acts of the apostle is another book that refers to the ascension. Rather it begins with the ascension scene.
The Gospel of Mark depicts two important elements in his ascension narratives. The element is the disciples were looking at heaven when Jesus is lifted up into heaven. The second is Jesus is asking his disciples to go and proclaim the Gospel, they are called to become His witnesses.
We can imagine the disciples who were disheartened after the death of Jesus, had experienced joy after the resurrection. Their master was back into action. He had forgiven them. He himself was coming in their midst. He was eating and drinking with them just like before. He taught them about the kingdom of God. The author of Acts tells us that the risen Christ spent 40 days with the disciples.
Now that Jesus declares that he is returning to Father. The disciples show their incompetency to comprehend what Jesus was saying. They wanted to know when would Jesus restore the kingdom of Israel. We can imagine that the disciples might have been sad at the fact of Jesus’ going away from them. They might have felt loneliness. They also must have experienced the absence of Jesus in their lives. in such circumstances, the disciples needed to know the reason behind Jesus’ ascension.
The ascension was meant for the disciples. Jesus ascended so that his disciples would be empowered. They would find new strength in their lives. I have listed four most important reasons for how ascension helps us in our life of faith. Actually, it helps us to concentrate our gaze on heaven.
1) The ascension shows us that man is free from the corruption of body and death. After our first parents were thrown out from paradise, no human had entered into heaven. Jesus was the first man to enter heaven. He took our humanity into heaven. Hence, we have hope that we can also enter heaven because our master is already waiting for us.
2) Having ascended into heaven, Jesus proved that he was Christ, the son of God. He belonged to God. Jesus ascended in heaven on his own accord. He sits at the right hand of God the Father. The ascension proved the divinity of Jesus Christ.
3) The ascension shows us that Jesus took the position next to God the Father. He is our advocate before God. He intercedes for us. Jesus tells us in the Gospel of John, whatever you ask in my name, I will give it to you. (Jn 14:13). The whole Eucharist is addressed to God the Father through the intercession of Jesus Christ. The ascension proves us that Jesus is our supreme advocate before the Lord. He knows our human sufferings. He can share with God all our problems and difficulties.
4) The ascension showed that Jesus moved away from his disciples but it actually brought Jesus close to his disciples. Once in heaven, Jesus is close to his disciples. His disciples can feel his presence. Today’s Gospel tells us that his disciples felt his presence among them. He makes a promise to his disciples in the Gospel of Mathew, “I am with you always even unto the end of the world” (Mt. 28:20).
These reasons tell us that Jesus is in heaven for all of us. He wants us to be with him. Therefore, we also need to learn to keep our eyes focused on heaven. St. Stephen, the first martyr kept his eyes on heaven. When he was stoned to death; he said I see the heavens open, and the Son of Man standing at the right of God. (Acts 7: 56) St. Paul also invited the people of Colossians, “set your mind on the things above, not on earthly things”. (Col 3:2). Setting our eyes on heaven is one of the prime objectives of every Christian.
While heaven is our goal, we need to keep our feet on the earth. Jesus guides us on how to enter heaven. It is recorded in today’s scripture readings. Our careful readings will give us Jesus’ instructions to his disciples just before he ascended into heaven. He told them not to go out from Jerusalem. He meant to say that they need to stand still. They were called to remain silent. This solitary time would allow them to sink his teachings into them. They had to stay together. It would help them to share their experience with one another. They had to also remain in the company of Our Lady. She had so much to share with the disciples about Jesus. Mary’s presence was consoling and encouraging. She would help them to pray. They had to be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Something different from the baptism of St. John the Baptist. Having received the Holy Spirit, they were commissioned to proclaim the Gospel to the ends of the earth.
The disciples followed the instructions of Jesus. We are called to do the same. We are called to remain silent in order to reflect the mysteries of God– staying together with other followers (Church) – in the company of Our Lady – while praying for the gifts of the Holy Spirit – thus going out to proclaim the Gospel. This is the way to enter heaven where Jesus is waiting for us. Are we ready to follow it?