Homily for the Ascension of the Lord
Acts 1:1–11, Ephesians 1:17–23, and Matthew 28:16–20
Today we celebrate the great feast of the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ. Many people think the Ascension means Jesus has gone far away from us. But the message of today is exactly the opposite: Jesus ascends to heaven so that His presence may reach the whole world through the Church.
In the first reading from Acts of the Apostles, the disciples stand looking up into the sky after Jesus disappears from their sight. The angels ask them: “Why are you standing there looking at the sky?” This is an important question for us too. Christianity is not about standing still, afraid, or dreaming only about heaven. Jesus sends His disciples back into the world with a mission.
Before ascending, Jesus promises them the power of the Holy Spirit. He tells them they will become His witnesses “to the ends of the earth.” The Ascension is therefore not the end of Jesus’ work — it is the beginning of the Church’s mission.
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus gives the Great Commission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” These are not words only for priests, bishops, or missionaries. They are words for every Christian. Every baptized person has a mission: to bring hope where there is despair, peace where there is conflict, forgiveness where there is hatred, and faith where people have lost direction.
Jesus sends ordinary people to do extraordinary things through the power of God.
But the mission is not easy. The world is full of suffering, temptation, violence, corruption, and discouragement. Sometimes we feel weak and unable to continue. That is why the second reading from Epistle to the Ephesians is so comforting. Saint Paul prays that our eyes may be opened to understand the greatness of Christ’s power.
Paul reminds us that the same Jesus who ascended into heaven now reigns above every power and authority. Christ is victorious. Evil does not have the final word. Death does not have the final word. Sin does not have the final word. Jesus is Lord and the most beautiful promise comes at the end of the Gospel: “And remember, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” Jesus ascends physically, but spiritually He remains with us every day: in the Eucharist, in the Word of God, in the Church, in prayer, and in every act of love and mercy.
The Ascension therefore is not about Jesus abandoning the earth. It is about Jesus entrusting the earth to His disciples.
Today Jesus also asks us: Why are you standing still? Why are you afraid? Why are you losing hope? Go and live your faith. Go and forgive. Go and serve. Go and witness to Christ by your life.
As Jesus returned to the Father in glory, may we also journey with hope toward heaven, carrying out our mission faithfully until the day we meet Him face to face.
Amen.