THEY WORSHIPPED HIM

FEAST OF ASCENSION - Luke 24:46-53

Time and again, the disciples were full of doubts, unable to believe, due to their false expectations. The scandal of the cross was so great that they run away, and it was hard for them to believe in the resurrection. That's why Jesus spent time with them, facilitating an experience of the Risen Lord, which enabled them to believe and to act accordingly. However, up to the end, they had the wrong expectations. On the day of the Ascension, they were still asking if the time to restore the kingdom of Israel had finally arrived. They hoped for political power, and Jesus had to dash their dreams, and bring them to reality. Finally, at the very end, we see the Apostles gathered around Jesus, receiving the last instructions and being empowered to continue his mission. 

First, “he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures”, making them realise “that everything written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled." (Lk 24:44-45). Jesus became the key to understand and interpret the Scriptures, and the Scriptures helped to make sense of  his passion and death. The Messiah should suffer, die and then rise on the third day.

They had lived with Jesus and were taught by him. They had the facts, and so they could be witnesses, but in order to be witnesses they needed to understand and read the facts correctly; they needed as well to have the courage to stand up and give witness to Jesus Christ. For both things, they needed the Holy Spirit, and Jesus promised them the Holy Spirit, who would empower them to proclaim the Good News, that is “repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name” (Lk 24:47).

After these final instructions, we are presented with a final scene, in which Jesus blesses them and, while blessing them, he is carried up into heaven. While he is rising up, the disciples worship him. Afterwards, they went back to Jerusalem with great joy.

In the letter to the Ephesians, quoting a Christological hymn, Paul tells us that God “put everything under His (Christ) feet and appointed Him as head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of the One who fills all things in every way” (Ef 1:22-23).

The ascension is like a graphical expression of this same proclamation: Jesus Christ is the Head of everything and everything is put under his feet. He is the Lord!

Nowadays, in many parishes, there is the tradition of having novenas  for any important celebration. The first novena, where the nine days that go between the Ascension and the day of Pentecost. The Apostles spent that time in preparation for the receiving of the Holy Spirit. It is important that we join and prepare ourselves well to allow the Holy Spirit to come into our hearts.