Why Did Jesus Ascend?

Thursday 21^st May 2020. 

Read Acts 1:1-11, Psalm 47, Ephesians 1:17-23 and Matthew 28:16-20

“Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. While he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven.” (Luke 24:50-51)

Today makes it forty days since the resurrection of Jesus from the dead and on this day, Jesus ascended into heaven. In the Scriptures, the number ‘forty’ represents wholeness, preparation and cleansing. For instance, it rained forty days and forty nights when Noah built the Ark. The Israelites spent forty years journeying to the Promised Land. Jesus spent forty day and nights in the wilderness fasting just to mention a few.

By ascending after forty days, Jesus was passing on a deep message to us: My work in the flesh is now complete; prepare to receive the Holy Spirit. “It is not for you to know the times or seasons... But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you shall be my witnesses.” (Acts 1:7-8)

Like these disciples gazing up at heaven, we too may be gazing and wondering why Jesus would ascend into heaven. “Wouldn’t it have been nice if Jesus remained appearing and disappearing to us every now and then?” This question would be valid only if it can ever be established that Jesus is no longer with us today. Have we forgotten that Jesus said: “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20).

Jesus is still with us. Jesus can never abandon us for we are His bride. He remains the Vine while we are just the branches. So was the ascension just a show? Not at all. Jesus really ascended into heaven and as St. Paul teaches us in today’s second reading, Christ has united humanity with God. It was necessary that Jesus entered heaven with our human flesh and by so doing redeem human nature.

By going up to heaven, Jesus did distance Himself from us rather He points our attention to heaven; our final destination. As Jesus ascended to heaven, so must our thoughts constantly ascend to Heaven. As St. Paul would say: “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:1-2) 

When an aged parent knows that death is fast approaching, he or she would gather their children to leave them with some last words. In the Ascension, we celebrate the last words of Jesus: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20). We must cherish these last words of Jesus; they define our faith.

As we heard Jesus say, though He ascended, He remains with us always – and to the close of the age. How? Where two or more are gathered in His name, Jesus is there. In the Holy Eucharist, Jesus is there. In every mass, Jesus is present as the Priest, the Altar and the Lamb of Sacrifice. In the poor and lonely, Jesus is present – “whatsoever you do to the least of these, you do unto me.”

Soon after the Ascension, the disciples entered a mood of prayer in expectation of the promise of the Holy Spirit. Like these disciples, we too must begin to pray more that we may be found worthy of the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.

Let us pray: Come Holy Spirit, fill my heart and kindle your fire within me. Amen

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Solemnity of the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ. Year A. Bible Study: Acts 1:1-11, Psalm 47, Ephesians 1:17-23 and Matthew 28:16-20).