GOD MADE HIM THE RULER OF EVERYTHING

THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD - Acts 1:1-11

The solemnity of the Ascension celebrates Jesus being “lifted up” or “taken up into heaven” (Mk 16:19). We may ask ourselves about the meaning of such language.  Certainly, it has nothing to do with physical lifting. Jesus’ ascension into heaven is not a rocket launching.  In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul speaks of the glorification of Jesus Christ, who seats at the right hand of the Father and is made Lord and ruler of everything (Ep 1:22). Jesus’ ascension is a source of hope for all those who have become his followers. With his ascension, humanity has been glorified and is seating at the right hand of God. If we become one body with him, then we will share in Jesus’ glory.

In the first reading, taken from the Acts of the Apostles, we can find Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit and the mission entrusted to the disciples: they must be witnesses of Jesus “to the ends of the earth.” In the gospel of Mark, we find the confirmation that the disciples carried out the mission entrusted to them: “they, going out, preached everywhere” (Mk 16:20). However, up to the end, the disciples kept steadfast in their hope that Jesus would establish an earthly kingdom in which they would enjoy wealth and power. Wealth and power are like drugs to which we become addicted. Throughout the ages, people have been ready to sacrifice everything in order to obtain both wealth and power, considered as of supreme value. Jesus made it clear that they were wasting their time because an earthly kingdom was not part of his mission. That was in the hands of the Father.

At the end of the passage, as “a cloud took him from their sight”, the disciples remained there “looking into the sky”, as if in ecstasy. And they had to be called back to their senses and reality.  

The disciples are continuously faced with two big dangers: a) to be seduced by wealth and power; b) to be allured by the heavens and forget the world we live in. We do not belong to the world, but we live in the world and are called to be witnesses of Jesus Christ in this world where we live. We must not forget that, here on earth, we are pilgrims. Our hearts hope for the glory of Christ, while at the same time leading us to walk in the way of Christ.