READINGS FOR THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD, YEAR C, SUNDAY 29TH MAY, 2022.
First Reading: Acts 1:1-11
Psalm: 46
Second Reading: Ephesians 1:17-23
Gospel: Luke 24: 46-53
REFLECTION BY FR CORNELIUS NWAOGWUGWU, CM
GOD IS WITH US ALWAYS
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Today, we celebrate in a joyful manner, the feast of the Ascension of the Lord, Year C. We also celebrate today, the World Communication Day.
The term Ascension involves an action, movement or a transformation. Literally, the word Ascension means “going up” or “something that goes up.” It entails the action of rising to a relevant throne or higher position. Ascension can be a spiritual, physical, mental or a complete transformation of a being.
From the Christian perspective, the Feast of the Ascension of Jesus Christ is also called Ascension Day, which celebrates the 40th day of Easter. As part of a long-established practice, Ascension is celebrated on a Thursday to mark the end of Jesus’ earthly existence as an event preceding Pentecost, the gift of the Holy Spirit.
In many countries where the Ascension of the Lord is observed as a Holiday of Obligation, the celebration of the Ascension of the Lord was celebrated on Thursday, 26 May 2022. For these countries, today celebrates the Seventh Sunday of Easter.
In Ireland and many other countries, the feast of the Ascension was moved to Sunday, 29th May, 2022, the Sunday before Pentecost to encourage more Christians to observe and participate in this very important feast. This indicates that the season of Easter is nearly at an end.
Jesus’ Ascension brings the revelation of the “Good News” to a completion. It means that the promise and mission of Jesus, the Messiah is fulfilled. It brings about both “an ending and a beginning.” It brings an end to the physical appearances of Jesus. It also begins the work of the disciples to teach and share what they have learned and witnessed from Jesus.
In union with the Church, we celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection and Ascension into glory after his suffering and death. These celebrations tell us that the Church must be a community for and in mission, guided by the power of the Holy Spirit.
After promising the Holy Spirit as the source of power for the apostles to bear witnesses throughout the whole world, the Prince of Peace, the Risen Christ, said: “I am with you always, even to the end of time.”
Jesus releases a new energy upon us. This is the energy of the Holy Spirit who came down upon the Apostles. The power of the Holy Spirit is also given to each us so that we may preach the Good News of salvation to all the nations. The power of the Holy Spirit makes us confident of God’s protection even in the face of suffering and death. The Holy Spirit helps us to know that the Prince of Peace reigns on His Holy Throne forever.
In this reflection, I share with you the message of the Ascension of the Lord Jesus, the Prince of Peace into His Heavenly glory. This reflection is shaped by the New Testament accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke and the Acts of the Apostles.
Today’s First Reading describes how Jesus interacted with his disciples for forty days after his Resurrection. He instructed the Apostles to remain in Jerusalem to receive the Holy Spirit, the source of power. Once they received the Spirit, they would bear witness to Jesus to the ends of the earth by their preaching and their lives: “You will be baptized with the Holy Spirit” and become “My witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and to the ends of the earth.” Then Jesus was lifted up in the sky and was covered by a cloud. The disciples received the angelic message that the ascended Jesus would come back again in glory “in the same way as you have seen Him going into Heaven.” Thus, the Ascension of Jesus means that the risen Jesus has entered into the glory of the Heavenly Father. Jesus has accomplished our salvation by suffering and death, burial and Resurrection, Ascension, and the sending of the Spirit. (Acts 1:1-11)
The Responsorial Psalm says, “God reigns on his holy throne”. This cultic cry, refers to the solemn installation of the Ark within the Temple. This depicts a liturgical re-enactment of the universal lordship that is God’s from eternity. Now, by Jesus’ Ascension the risen Lord likewise “reigns on his holy throne” in glory as “king of all the earth.” (Psalm 46)
In the Second Reading, St. Paul puts special emphasis on the truth that Jesus, our risen Lord, now rules in glory over all creation. Our limited perception might find Jesus absent, but the realistic truth is that Jesus is fully present, participating in every moment of our lives. He prays: “May He enlighten the eyes of your mind so that you can see what hope his call holds for you.” (Ephesians 1:17-23)
Jesus calls and commands us to: “Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations”. (Matthew 28:16-20). Jesus calls us to be evangelizers, preachers and proclaimers of the Word of God to all the nations.
Jesus echoed this in the Gospel of Luke, He said to his disciples: “You see how it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that, in his name, repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses to this.” (Luke 24:46-53)
The Resurrection of Jesus gives us the hint of what life will be like in Heaven. In the Ascension of Jesus Christ, we see Jesus going fully into the glory of God. The likelihood of sharing that glory should be the driving force of our lives. This possibility also acts as a spring board. It can spun us into action towards effective evangelization of all people and restoration of peace to all the nations.
Today as always, we are being commanded by the risen Lord to go forth and proclaim the Gospel of life, love, hope, peace and repentance for the forgiveness of sins. We can achieve this command by the witness of our lives inspired by the Holy Spirit.
We are called to renew our commitment to be true evangelizers and instruments of peace, beginning with our families and our communities, “living in a manner worthy of the call we have received.”
St. Paul exhorts us to live in a manner worthy of our calling and mission. The greatest witness we can bear to the presence of Jesus in our midst is our unity with God, seen in our living with one another in joy, peace and harmony. (Ephesians 4:4-13).
The disciples “went back to Jerusalem full of joy.” (Luke 24:50-53) Like St. Paul, I pray for each of us to be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit so that we may become instruments of peace to all nations through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Fr. Cornelius Nwaogwugwu, CM.