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CONTEMPLATING THE ASCENSION

The Ascension of the Lord

As the Easter Season continues, Ascension Day marks another turning point in Jesus' life and ministry. We celebrate Jesus' being lifted up and enthroned in heaven, at the right hand of God. Contemplating the Ascension allows us the opportunity to appreciate more fully both Jesus' humanity and divinity.

My understanding of the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus, culminating with the Ascension, was aided greatly by a sermon I heard many years ago on a college campus. The priest told the story of a student who came for a final visit, shortly after commencement and before leaving campus permanently. The student asked, "Did you think I would leave without saying goodbye?"

Similarly, one could imagine Jesus saying the same thing to the friends He visited after His resurrection, and to His beloved mother. The artists who designed our church's stained-glass window depicting the Ascension imagined that the witnesses to the Ascension included Jesus' Mother, Mary and two apostles. Surely, Jesus would never have left without saying goodbye to His mother and to the friends to whom He was entrusting His earthly mission of proclaiming the gospel!

Once Jesus had reassured His friends and family that He was alive and would be with them always, He was able to leave the world and charge His disciples with continuing His earthly mission. On Ascension Day, Jesus left our physical earth, was taken up to heaven and took His seat at the right of God.

Jesus' Ascension changed, but did not discontinue, His presence in our world. Today's Gospel affirms that Jesus works with and through the Church and every Christian, and challenges us to recognize the signs of Jesus' continued presence with us and all generations.

Patricia Crowley
Director of Liturgy