The Ascension of the Lord: Readings - Acts 1:1–11; Psalm 47:2–3, 6–7, 8–9; Ephesians 1:17–23; Matthew 28:16–20
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| Ascension of Jesus, by John Singleton Copley. |
On this Ascension Sunday, the Church commemorates an important event among the Easter narratives that is of Jesus being taken up into heaven. At the first instance this event tells us that the story of the empty tomb does not end with Jesus' appearances to his apostles and close friends and relatives. Jesus now meets his dear one's in a community. Secondly, Jesus is taken up when they were together and from their midst he is taken up into heaven, to the place which belongs to him permanently. He ascends to His Father and our Father. Therefore there is a community dimension to this feast of Ascension of the Lord. As someone said, that the Resurrection, like the Ascension, is into Heaven, or to put it boldly the meaning of the Ascension is to show us that the Resurrection is into Heaven. All the Easter narratives are fascinating, challenging and intriguing. Because of their nature, character and description.
Presence of the Holy Spirit in the physical absence of Jesus
Ascension of our Lord is a precursor to the anointing by the Holy Spirit. “In a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 1:5), says St Luke. Without the Ascension the Holy Spirit will not come down upon the apostles and later on to us as well. One leads the other. Two things happen here. Firstly, in order to live that divine life we must receive the Holy Spirit. Secondly, we will receive the Holy Spirit provided we are purified by the Baptism. Jesus says, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Mt 28:19). The scriptures tell us how the Ascension took place in Jerusalem. Both St Luke in the Acts of Apostles and St Matthew in his gospel tell us. But it's very difficult to grasp what this Ascension is all about. I would say this way: Until the ascension Jesus appeared to the disciples both human and divine form. However, after his Ascension, Jesus is no more seen as human. In other words, Jesus does not appear to anyone as a human person. Interestingly, the Gospel discourses on Easter narratives tell us that Resurrected Jesus is there and not there. Take for example: Jesus appearing to Mary of Magdeline. She recognises him first as gardener and then Rabbouni, Teacher (John 20:11-18). For the disciples of Emmaus Jesus appears to them as fellow walking companion, then interpreter of scriptures and finally as priest, while breaking of the bread (Luke 24:13-35). Jesus appears to his disciples while fishing as a man who knew very good fishing, stranger, then as a cook and finally their master (John 21: 1-14). Resurrected Jesus appeared also to his disciples when they were together in a room as a ghost, then hungry man, finally as their master. (Lk 24:36-48).
Ascension of Jesus becomes all in all
Ascension of Jesus tells us very poignantly that once he is taken up, Jesus become all in all. His divinity is manifested completely, wholly and fully. Jesus is no more in human form here. During the apparitions of the resurrected Jesus the space of his manifestation was limited especially in and around Jerusalem and Galilee. Jesus' movements and presentation happens only in limited places. Between the resurrection and the Ascension, Jesus appears to specific people at specific places and times. Now, with the Ascension, Jesus becomes present to all in a profound and deeper way. With the ascension of Jesus he becomes completely accessible to everyone and anywhere. There is no more constrains of space and time. He is beyond any sort of limitations that the human mind can think of. In the words of St Paul to the Colossians, "Christ is all and in all" (Col 3:11). The Ascension reminds us of our trinitarian baptism, an acknowledgment of God above (Father), with us and by our side (Son) and within us (Holy Spirit).
Jesus goes high and becomes visible to all.
"They were still staring into the sky when suddenly two in white were standing near them..." (Acts 1:10). The disciples were always accompanied even when their master Jesus was taken up very high. Always comfort is given when you look for it. Grace is handed down to you when you seek it. Interestingly, until Jesus was taken up into heaven he was visible only to select number of people and territorial boundaries were restricted. However, with the ascension, we see the more Jesus goes high, he becomes visible to all by breaching the territorial boundaries. This happens that he might share in the life of God fully, and so that in him, we too could share the life of God. In our life too, the more far we are from our loved one's with physical distance often they become close to us!
Farewell brings out deepest emotions and the memory is solid and lasting.
Jesus spends precious moments with his close one's for the last moment before he would be taken up. In Acts of the Apostles, Luke mentions of Jerusalem but in gospel he mentions about Bethany, where as for Matthew on a mountain in Galilee, for Mark not on a particular place. Mountain is a place of revelation, a place of meeting God. Jesus often prayed on the mountains whether it is Mount Tabor or Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives (Matthew 14:23, Mark 6:46, Luke 6:12, John 6:15). In fact, Jesus calling his disciples on the mountain means he is calling us to experience something different, someone who is divine. He is calling us to go up and choose higher things. These last moments are very precious to them because they would carry his message to the ends of the earth. Even we when we bid farewell to someone who is close to us, we become emotional and sad. We remember after sometime how the person bid farewell to us. Usually, we remember the first and last memories of meeting very vivid and become attached to us!
Go and be Jesus to all.
The event of Ascension is not an end in itself. But a new start. The risen life is not only without the misery and pain, without sickness and death but of peace, joy and truth, with a new entirety. In other words, with resurrection and ascension of Jesus tell us to start with a new beginning not just an “afterlife” but a real life, which would be greater and more intense and more joyful life than we have ever lived here on earth. It is a new creation; a new beginning. Jesus gives a new mission of preaching the good news to all and to the ends of earth. In other words, to be Jesus to all. To imitate his words and actions not only in one's life but also in the lives of others.
- Olvin Veigas, SJ
24 May 2020
Ascension of Jesus tells us very poignantly that once he is taken up, Jesus become all in all. His divinity is manifested completely, wholly and fully. Jesus is no more in human form here. During the apparitions of the resurrected Jesus the space of his manifestation was limited especially in and around Jerusalem and Galilee. Jesus' movements and presentation happens only in limited places. Between the resurrection and the Ascension, Jesus appears to specific people at specific places and times. Now, with the Ascension, Jesus becomes present to all in a profound and deeper way. With the ascension of Jesus he becomes completely accessible to everyone and anywhere. There is no more constrains of space and time. He is beyond any sort of limitations that the human mind can think of. In the words of St Paul to the Colossians, "Christ is all and in all" (Col 3:11). The Ascension reminds us of our trinitarian baptism, an acknowledgment of God above (Father), with us and by our side (Son) and within us (Holy Spirit).
Jesus goes high and becomes visible to all.
"They were still staring into the sky when suddenly two in white were standing near them..." (Acts 1:10). The disciples were always accompanied even when their master Jesus was taken up very high. Always comfort is given when you look for it. Grace is handed down to you when you seek it. Interestingly, until Jesus was taken up into heaven he was visible only to select number of people and territorial boundaries were restricted. However, with the ascension, we see the more Jesus goes high, he becomes visible to all by breaching the territorial boundaries. This happens that he might share in the life of God fully, and so that in him, we too could share the life of God. In our life too, the more far we are from our loved one's with physical distance often they become close to us!
Farewell brings out deepest emotions and the memory is solid and lasting.
Jesus spends precious moments with his close one's for the last moment before he would be taken up. In Acts of the Apostles, Luke mentions of Jerusalem but in gospel he mentions about Bethany, where as for Matthew on a mountain in Galilee, for Mark not on a particular place. Mountain is a place of revelation, a place of meeting God. Jesus often prayed on the mountains whether it is Mount Tabor or Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives (Matthew 14:23, Mark 6:46, Luke 6:12, John 6:15). In fact, Jesus calling his disciples on the mountain means he is calling us to experience something different, someone who is divine. He is calling us to go up and choose higher things. These last moments are very precious to them because they would carry his message to the ends of the earth. Even we when we bid farewell to someone who is close to us, we become emotional and sad. We remember after sometime how the person bid farewell to us. Usually, we remember the first and last memories of meeting very vivid and become attached to us!
Go and be Jesus to all.
The event of Ascension is not an end in itself. But a new start. The risen life is not only without the misery and pain, without sickness and death but of peace, joy and truth, with a new entirety. In other words, with resurrection and ascension of Jesus tell us to start with a new beginning not just an “afterlife” but a real life, which would be greater and more intense and more joyful life than we have ever lived here on earth. It is a new creation; a new beginning. Jesus gives a new mission of preaching the good news to all and to the ends of earth. In other words, to be Jesus to all. To imitate his words and actions not only in one's life but also in the lives of others.
- Olvin Veigas, SJ
24 May 2020
3 comments:
"In order to live a Divine life we must receive the Holy Spirit and we receive Holy Spirit provided we are purified by Baptism."Infact I'm taken up by each word here.What a transforming lines by you our spiritual mentor! These are the costless luxuries gifted to all us by you. However we aware of the facts,to be frank, I myself felt like missing Jesus as He is going to heaven....... Thank for reviving my confidence and providing clarity of the days readings.This article is really captivating every one.Its encouraging and hopeful.
Fr, ur reflection on ascension is so fascinating & leads me to the depth of ascension & receiving the Holy spirit. I was very much taken up by ur words, with the ascension of Jesus he becomes completely accessible to everyone which assures me Christ's presence with me always. Unfortunately many times i am not aware of of this closeness. This reflection is a call for me to be in tune with the presence of Christ..............
Sometimes i waste so much time... I feel sad for it.. But ur reflection was an eye opener for me today........ Thanks for that beautiful reflection Fr
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