On the Ascension

This Sunday we observe the feast of the Lord?s Ascension into heaven. Just before his ascent to the Father in heaven, Jesus entrusts his mission to the disciples:

?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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.? (Mt 28: 19-20)

In entrusting his mission to the disciples Jesus shows both trust in their capacity to carry on his work and confidence that they have the heart and will to follow through. He pays them a profound compliment!

At the end of the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we find the disciples gazing up at the sky as Jesus ascends, almost as if they are twiddling their thumbs and shuffling their feet wondering what to do next. Two men dressed in white garments stood beside them and said:

The disciples are reminded that Jesus has given them a sacred trust, his mission, and they are to get on with it. What is most remarkable is that the trust and confidence Jesus showed in his disciples proved well placed. After Pentecost, with the coming of the Holy Spirit, they placed their gifts at God?s service and discovered they had what the mission needed. And, perhaps even more importantly, they gave their hearts to the mission. The zeal and courage they displayed is inspiring.

In our time and place Jesus entrusts us with his mission. He believes we have the necessary gifts if we but generously use them in his service and have the heart to do so with courage and determination. The feast of the Ascension is like a graduation. Having been prepared for the next phase, we step out and confidently engage the future.

Jesus continues to place his trust in us. Why else would he have placed his mission in our hands? He believes in us; let us believe in ourselves and our ability to keep alive what Jesus inaugurated some 2000 years ago.

May your week be much blessed!

Fr. John Klein, Pastor