Matthew 28, 16-20:
Sunday, 21st May 2023 (7 Easter A) The Ascension
“At that time the eleven disciples went away to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had told them about. When they saw him, they fell down, but some of them hesitated”.
Over a period of time the risen Lord appeared several times to the disciples. On this solemnity of the Ascension, Jesus appears to them, promises not to leave them alone, gives them a mission, and they saw him ascend into heaven.
It is the moment of his glorification, of being at the Father’s side with full power over heaven and earth. Now he can send us his Spirit. He will return at the end of time.
His Ascension is a mystery that we can only accept in faith. God sits him at his right hand in recognition of all his work. His time among us is over, but he does not leave us. It will be a new form of presence: “I am with you always, even to the end of time”. Then we will be able to fulfil his wishes: “make disciples, baptise them, teach them to observe all that I have commanded you…”.
Today is a day of joy because the Ascension of Jesus is the victory of those of us who believe in him, for we share in his divinity. It is a day of hope because where he is, we will be too, according to his promise: “I am going to prepare a place for you”. And it is a day of commitment, for it is not easy to be his witnesses in a world where believers are so often hindered. Let us pray today with St Paul that “he may give us his Spirit to know him, and that he may enlighten our hearts to understand the hope to which he calls us”.
Juan Ramón Gómez Pascual, cmf
Is your heart filled with the Holy Spirit?
