Ascension Thursday

Today is Thursday in the Sixth Week of Easter.
On this day in many churches, the Ascension of the Lord is celebrated.

I would like to offer just a few brief notes on this wonderful feast day. First, we have to realize that the actual Ascension of Jesus is more than just "rocket ship Jesus" blasting through the clouds of the sky into Heaven. The Ascension of the Lord is that moment when Jesus was no longer bodily, tangibly present on earth in His resurrected, glorified body. Jesus returns to the right hand of God the Father in order to send the Holy Spirit to His followers. "But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you." (John 16:7)

Yes, it is true...while we remain here on earth, we can no longer look into the eyes of Jesus, nor can we embrace and hold onto Him. We cannot hear Jesus speaking his native Aramaic. But on this Ascension Thursday, we recognize that Jesus the Lord is present among us in an even more real and abiding manner. Jesus ascends so that He can be shared with others in a radical way.

"The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them.When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, 'All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age'.” (Matthew 28:16-20)

Jesus is present in the Scriptures and in the breaking of the bread (see Luke 24:13-35). We can hear Jesus speak to us in our hearts through prayer, meditation, and contemplation. Jesus remains here on earth through the Church, His very Body. Whenever we celebrate the sacraments and pass on the Tradition, we behold the very presence of Jesus. When we reach out to the weak, the poor, the marginalized and the outcast, we encounter Jesus.

As a pledge of His love, Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to be our guide and advocate, to remind us of all Jesus has taught us. Jesus tells us that we are not left as orphans. Instead, God always chooses to always abide among us. As the Body of Christ, we will one day follow Jesus our Head into Heaven. Together, we shall dwell in the Presence of the Lord in endless glory and rejoicing.

So, let us rejoice on this day-- Jesus is alive and risen! Jesus has returned to the Father! And Jesus dwells among us, always, until the end of the age!