Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord

06-01-2025Weekly ReflectionFr. Bing Colasito

Today is Ascension Sunday. At the first Ascension Moment, Jesus ascended into heaven and lifted the spirit of the disciples, their hopes, and dreams. He drew them to Himself and led them to a new level of life and discipleship with purpose and mission. He empowers them to become His witnesses and blesses and fills them with joy, praise, and courage. Along with the mission from the Lord are the power and protection of the Holy Spirit. Because, to be on a mission is learning to rely more on God’s power and less on our own.

As soon as Jesus commissioned the disciples to go to Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth to proclaim the Good News, He ascended into heaven before their eyes. To reinforce what they just witnessed, two angels con firm the Ascension of Jesus: Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking up into the skies? That Jesus, who went up into heaven, will return.

Before His ascension into heaven, Jesus instructs the disciples to wait for the Paraclete. Once they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, they must go out and preach the Good News worldwide. To proclaim the Risen Lord and bap tize through water and the Holy Spirit; heal the sick, expel demons, and teach in a new language, the language of the Gospel.

The Holy Spirit works wonders through the new converts to the faith. St. Paul encourages the converts in Ephe sus to carry themselves in a manner worthy of their discipleship. They must be gentle, humble, and patient with one another. They must allow the different gifts of the Holy Spirit to flourish in them. Above all, they must strive toward unity since they received the same baptism from the same Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Mt. 28:18)

Imagine if Jesus entrusted the disciples with the mission without empowering them. It would be like giving them cell phones without a plan or signal. That is why the Lord gave them the power and the authority to preach the Gospel and continue the ministry He started. He also gave them the assurance and the signs to carry out their mission. Jesus gives them the mission and the necessary ammunition.

Life without a mission is empty, vain, and shallow. What are we doing for the rest of our lives? We must spend the rest of our lives - the best of our lives. Live our lives as givers and not as takers.

Speaking of proclaiming the Good News, I must say that some of the best preachers I have ever known preach with the heart and the witness of their lives. Those who (truly) listen and pray are themselves the embodiment of the Gospel: People who share the Scriptures throughout their lives.

Ascension reminds us that the only way to go is up, not down or downward. The last weeks of Easter give us the grace to be in the Ascension mode. No matter how narrow, rough, and challenging the road ahead may be, it should lead us to our Ascension to Jesus, who now sits with the Father and awaits us with His glory and power.