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 Ascension of the Lord, Year C: Homily by Fr Isaac

Theme: Christ’s ascension: the hope of our spiritual striving

Readings: Acts 1:1-11; Eph 1:17-23; Lk 24:46-53

Whenever we recite the Creed, we declare that Jesus ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father in glory. This is a fundamental tenet of our faith. How and when did this event occur? Today, the Church commemorates the feast of this significant aspect of our faith – the ascension of the Lord. She informs us about how and when it took place and also gives us some lessons from it.

The first reading and the gospel of today provide an account of the event of the Ascension of Jesus. It occurred forty days after His resurrection. Today’s solemnity is observed on the fortieth day following Easter. On that day, the day of ascension, Jesus led His disciples to Bethany and instructed them to stay in Jerusalem and await the coming of the Holy Spirit so that they could become His “witnesses to the ends of the earth.” Then, as they were watching, He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight. Subsequently, two Heavenly messengers clad in white garments appeared to them and assured them of Jesus’ “second coming” or return in glory.

Christ’s Ascension was the culmination of God’s Divine plan for the ministry of Christ Jesus on earth; after fulfilling his mission, Jesus returned to his Father. It marked a culmination, yet not an end, for although Jesus now resides with God in glory, he continues to be present with us, residing within us together with the Father and the Holy Spirit. He provided us with this assurance when he said, "I am with you always till the end of time."

Today’s feast also commemorates the hope of glory for all Christians, representing our aspiration to enter into glory after our earthly existence. Thus, faith in the reality of Jesus’ ascension into heaven assures us that following our spiritual endeavours here on earth, we will witness the glory of God in heaven. This is why St. Paul, while elucidating the theological significance of Jesus’ exaltation in his letter to the Ephesians 1:18 (the second reading for today), stated: "May God enlighten the eyes of our hearts so that we may know the great hope to which we have been called." Our great hope is that one day we too will ascend to Heavenly glory. Therefore, our responsibility is to fulfil our mission just as Jesus fulfilled His own mission.

Our mission is reflected in today's gospel. Prior to His ascension into heaven, Jesus instructed His disciples, as well as all of us, to spread the Good News of salvation throughout the entire world through both words and actions. Today's gospel states that repentance and forgiveness will be proclaimed to all nations in the name of Jesus, and that we serve as witnesses to the remarkable works that Jesus has accomplished.

Dear friends, we are summoned to reach out to the entire world and create disciples for Jesus by sharing the good news and by witnessing to this good news through our lives: through our virtuous actions, the manner in which we love others, the way we forgive those around us, the assistance we provide to others, the way we communicate with people, how we treat our fellow human beings, and how we foster peace and harmony within our families and our Christian community. These are exceptional methods to bear witness to the teachings of Jesus. If we adhere to these principles, we will partake in the mission of Jesus and the glory that accompanies it.

Happy Feast Day.

Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima