Today is Ascension Sunday. The Feast of the Ascension marks the end of the time of Christ on earth, when he goes back to the Father. The creed professes, “He ascended into heaven and seated at the right Hand of God the Father Almighty.” His ascension is part of the Paschal mystery: Jesus of Nazareth, victorious over sin and death, returns to God and fully reveals his identity as the Son of God. It’s time for Jesus to go back to his Father’s side sharing the power and the glory that he has had—even before the world began—being God himself and the King of the universe. The ascension is his glorification and exaltation. 

Our Lord’s ascension into heaven teaches us that our final destiny is not in this world but in the next life. Where he went, we will follow. The return of Jesus, in all his glory, to the Father gives us a glimpse of the great future to which we have been called. It points to our glorious heritage. Despite all our seemingly insurmountable hardships and difficulties, we too shall join Christ someday. Our way to glory is none other than to witness to the Lord by taking up our cross and following in his footsteps. 

We are dealing here with a paradox, a mystery. In one sense, Jesus has gone away by ascending into heaven. But in another sense, he is still with us here on earth. Jesus, the living head of his Body the Church, remains always with us as he promised—now in a new way. Whenever we read his Word, break his bread, gather to pray in his name, and minister to the least of his brethren, we experience his being —with-us, here and now. The risen Christ is present with us as we know in various ways—in the sacraments, especially in the Eucharist. He is also present in the Word of God and in the community of the believers. The invisible Christ is within us, active in us, our very life. 

The good news about the ascension is that it is a joyful goodbye because Jesus promises the Holy Spirit! If he doesn’t leave, the Spirit will not come. This is why he can tell his disciples and us, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1, 111). We will celebrate Pentecost next Sunday! The Holy Spirit comes down to unite himself to us, to be our advocate, our divine helper and spiritual guide. Let us enjoy this feast today and wait with joyful hope for the coming of the Spirit. Lord, keep our hearts always in expectant waiting for the coming of the Holy Spirit. 

– Fr. Cosme