The Ascension of the Lord Acts 1:1-11; Eph 1:17-23; Mt 28:16-20 (Year A)
The Ascension of the Lord, as described in the Scriptures, marks an ending. At the same time, it proclaims a beginning, a future called to confident expectation.
“When Jesus had been at table with them, he had told them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for what the Father had promised.” The Apostles were to wait in Jerusalem, to open their lives to the Lord’s promise. The Church in every generation is likewise called to wait upon the Lord, to believe that his promise is to be fulfilled in their own time. “It is what you have heard me speak about: John was baptised with water but you, not many days from now, will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.”
It is in this promise that the ending marked by the Ascension becomes the beginning of the Church: “Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations. And know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.”
In his Ascension Jesus was not lost to his disciples. As they looked to the heavens they received the assurance that he would be with them, that they would share his power when the Holy Spirit descended upon them. Throughout their lives they had been touched and inspired by the Spirit that was in Jesus. Now that Spirit would be in their hearts.
Our lives have been touched by the Spirit in our baptism and Confirmation. That Spirit, once received, is constantly renewed, and leads us with confident expectation to the coming celebration of Pentecost.
In his letter to the Ephesians, St Paul articulates the longing prompted by our celebration of the Lord’s Ascension. He prays that the Father might open our eyes to the sometimes forgotten glory of what we have become in Christ Jesus. “May he enlighten the eyes of your mind so that you can see what hope his call holds for you, what rich glories he has promised, and how infinitely great is the power that he has exercised for us believers.”
The words are familiar, and their promise sure. Sadly, for frail sinners their power is frequently diminished. Let us pray that the promise of the Ascension might be renewed in us. Through the power of the Holy Spirit may we come to a fresh understanding of the power of his Spirit at work within the Church, and at the heart of every believer.
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