Homily

ASCENSION OF THE LORD
AND SO TO HEAVEN
Acts 1,1-11; Ephesians 1,17-23; Matthew 28,16-20

Today’s feast faces the question about whether there is anywhere to go. It is first and foremost a celebration of Christ in the second phase of his glorification — his return to the Father.

A part of our interest must be focused on Christ himself. Jesus returns to where he belongs — with the Father. His return however has an added dimension — he returns with us, at least in principle.

It is the incarnate Son of God who goes back to the Father. Being Word made Flesh has become a permanent feature of Jesus’ identity. From all eternity he is the Son of God: “consubstantial with the Father”. From Mary’s fiat (let it be so) he is a human like us and his return to Heaven is also as a human being. The Father has put all things under his feet and made him the ruler of everything, the Head of the Church; which is his body, the fullness of him who fills the whole of Creation”.

The Word made Flesh has a new relationship to the whole of Creation which he fills with his presence. The mystery is indeed great and deep.
For us the Ascension is the pledge of our Hope. Our Hope is not in vain because Jesus, returned to the Father, has opened up and secured for us the key to eternal life. We are no longer at the mercy of blind forces but we are destined for eternal life.

‘It is not the elemental spirits of the universe, the laws of matter which ultimately govern the world and mankind, but a personal God governs the stars that is the universe; it is not the laws of matter and of evolution that have the final say but reason will love — person‘.  (Spe SaIvi No.5)

This person of course is Jesus Christ, who has died for us, who has been raised for us and who has ascended for us.
As Pope Benedict continues:

‘And if we know this person and he knows us, then truly the inexorable power of material elements no longer has the last word; we are not slaves of the universe and of its laws, we ore free. heaven is not empty. Life is not a simple product of laws and the randomness of matter but within everything and at the same time above everything, there is a personal will, there is a spirit who in Jesus has revealed himself as love’.  (Spe Salvi No.5)

This is the good news the Lord send us out to proclaim and share. Although the Lord has returned to the Father, it is not the end of the story but a part of the beginning.

We are sent to:

1. make disciples
2. baptise in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit
3. teach what the Lord himself has entrusted to us

We are ultimately empowered by the Lord’s continuing presence.
Pray for the Spirit of Mission
Responsorial Psalm. Ps. 46

1. All peoples, clap your hands,

cry to God with shouts of joy
For the Lord, the Most High, we must fear,
great king over all the earth.

1. God goes up with shouts of joy;

the Lord goes up with trumpet blast
Sing praise for God, sing praise
sing praise to our king, sing praise.

1. God is king of al] the earth.

Sing praise with all your skill. 
God is king over the nations; 
God reigns on his holy throne.
Response:   God goes up with shouts of joy
                   the Lord goes up with trumpet blast
Alleluia
Alleluia, alleluia!
Go, make disciples of all the nations;
I am with you always; yes, to the end of time
Alleluia: 

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