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 Ascension of the Lord, Year A: Homily by Fr Isaac Chima

Theme: Ascension of Christ: Our Hope and Our Mission

Readings: Acts 1:1–11; Eph 1:17–23; Mt 28:16–20

Whenever we recite the Creed, we proclaim that Jesus “ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.” This is an article of our faith. But how and when did Christ ascend into heaven? Today’s feast gives us the answer. As the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, she recounts how and where it happened and offers us profound lessons from this mystery.

Today’s first reading and Gospel present the event of the Ascension. It took place forty days after the Resurrection, which is why this solemnity marks the fortieth day after Easter. According to the Gospel, on the day of the Ascension the disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain Jesus had indicated. There they saw Him; He gave them His final mandate to make disciples of all nations and to baptize them in the name of the Trinity. He promised His abiding presence and assistance, and then ascended into heaven before their eyes. Immediately afterward, two heavenly messengers in white garments appeared and assured the disciples of Jesus’ return in glory.

Christ’s Ascension was the culmination of God’s divine plan for the earthly ministry of Jesus. It shows that, having accomplished His mission, Jesus returned to the Father. The Ascension was the grand finale of all His words and works for our salvation.  It was a culmination, not a conclusion, because although Jesus is now in glory, He continues to remain with us, dwelling within us together with the Father and the Holy Spirit. He Himself assured us: “I am with you always, until the end of time.”

Today’s feast is also a celebration of Christian hope—our hope of entering into glory after our earthly journey. Faith in the Ascension assures us that after our spiritual striving here on earth, we too will behold the glory of God in heaven. This is why St Paul, explaining the meaning of Christ’s exaltation in Ephesians 1:18, prayed: “May God enlighten the eyes of your hearts so that you may know the great hope to which you have been called.”

In the second reading, Paul deepens this message, saying, “May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation… that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance among the saints, and the immeasurable greatness of His power in us who believe.” Our great hope is that one day we too will ascend to heavenly glory. Our task, therefore, is to accomplish our mission just as Jesus accomplished His.

What, then, is our mission? Today’s Gospel makes it clear. Before ascending into heaven, Jesus commanded His disciples—and all of us—to proclaim the Good News of salvation to the whole world by word and deed, and to make disciples of all nations. Dear friends, we are called to evangelize not only by preaching but by witnessing with our lives: through our good actions, through the way we love one another, forgive one another, help one another, speak to one another, and treat one another. By living in peace and harmony in our families and Christian communities, we become authentic witnesses to Christ. These are powerful ways to share in His mission and in the glory that follows.

Today also marks the beginning of the novena to the Holy Spirit. After receiving their final mission from Christ, the disciples returned to the upper room and waited for the Spirit who would strengthen them to fulfill it. As we draw near to Pentecost, let us make time to pray for the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in the Church, so that we may be empowered to carry out our mission in the world.

Happy Feast Day

Rev. Fr. Isaac Chinemerem Chima