The Ascension of Our Lord
~~Acts of the Apostles 1:1-11~~Psalm 47~~Hebrews 9:24-28; 10:19-23~~Luke 24:46-53~~
Today we commemorate the Ascension of the Lord.
His return to the Father.
His homecoming day.
The day he leaves the Earth for eternity.
The day his public ministry comes to a close.
The day his ministry becomes private.
The day he can send the Holy Spirit to dwell within us.
There will no longer be 'seeing and believing'.
There will no longer be visible healings through his touch and words.
Jesus has now gone private, as we heard in the homily today
while away from home.
'Then he led them out as far as Bethany,
raised his hands, and blessed them.
As he blessed them he parted from them
and was taken up to heaven.'
raised his hands, and blessed them.
As he blessed them he parted from them
and was taken up to heaven.'
Jesus kept all of his promises.
Why would we question his promises today?
Even until he was taken up into heaven he was leading his disciples.
Before leaving them he raised his hands up to the Father;
then he blessed them.
I have received special blessings from newly ordained priests
and even special blessings for our marriage.
Imagine receiving the final blessing from Jesus himself.
Rather than leaving this place depressed and sad that Jesus had departed;
those who witnessed the Ascension were filled with great joy.
The Ascension was right up there with the day the Lord revealed his true glory
during the Transfiguration.
There had never before been anything like the Ascension,
nor has there been since.
He had prepared them for his departure.
In the same breath he had given them something
to hold on to and look forward to...
he would send the Holy Spirit.
He promised to go before us and prepare a dwelling place for us...
today we celebrate that promise.
The Easter Blessing of the Ascension
is believing that he goes before us to be reunited with the Father.
Together they prepare a dwelling place for us in heaven.
Today we also celebrate Mother's Day.
May all mother's receive the necessary grace to be the best mother.
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