ASCENSION

Rev. Emmett H. Carroll, S.J.

Mark 16:15-20

In his resurrection, Jesus is no mere spirit, for Jesus is tangible. When

the disciples have barricaded themselves in the upper room, when they

lock the door, Jesus stands among them and greets them. “Peace,” Jesus

says. The people start, and they fear. [You and I would be afraid if Jesus

stood in the middle isle saying “Peace”!] They are not seeing a ghost.

“Look at my hands and my feet; it’s me! Touch me and see, because a

ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see that I have.”

Incredulity, then joy and then amazement—these emotions chase each

other in the people. “Have you anything to eat?” They give him a piece

of baked fish; he takes it and eats while they look on. (Luke 24:36-43)

The resurrected Jesus is no mere spirit. The resurrection appearances are

not visions from heaven. These appearances happen here, on earth,

among people. Now with the Ascension, however, Jesus’ life on earth

comes to a definitive close.

Jesus is born when “a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that the

whole world should be enrolled. And Joseph too went up from Galilee

from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David, to be enrolled

with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And she gave birth to her

firstborn son. She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a

manger (Luke 2:1-7). His birth among humans begins in this way. With

the Ascension, Jesus’ visible life among us humans ends.

When does the Ascension occur? After His life among us, after His

suffering and crucifixion, after the resurrection, Jesus repeatedly appears

to the disciples. Thus Jesus first came to the disciples in the upper room

in Jerusalem. That same resurrection day, Jesus appears to two disciples

walking to the village of Emmaus. And on that same day Jesus appears

to Mary Magdalene, and then to Peter. A week later, Jesus appears to the

Apostles when the doubting Thomas is present. Later Jesus appears at

the Sea of Galilee, then to nearly five hundred together. At the end of

forty days, after many post-resurrection appearances, it is time for Jesus’

Ascension.

At what spot did Jesus rise up and ascend? Jesus leads the band of

Apostles out from the upper room, along the Jerusalem streets, out the

city gate, across the Kidron valley, past the Garden of Olives, toward the

village of Bethany, to a height called a mountain (Luke 24:50). This

would be about three-fourths of a mile (Acts 1:12).

Who witnesses this happening? Those present are Peter, John, James

and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James the

son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. Women are

present, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers (Acts 1:13-14).

What does Jesus say to these people at the Ascension? Jesus tells 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. Teach them to observe all

that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:18-20). The life and the

teaching of Jesus the Christ is for all people from Jerusalem to Judea and

to Samaria and to the ends of the earth, to every creature (Acts1:7; Mark

16:15). Jews and Gentiles will know Jesus.

Jesus also promises these witnesses: “And behold, I am with you always,

until the end of the age” (Matthew28:20). We have previously heard that

Jesus will be present wherever two or three gather in His name

(Matthew 18:20). Now the risen Jesus will abide among all Christians.

The spirit of the risen Lord will guide and protect the Church until God’s

kingdom comes in its fullness.

And Jesus instructs His people at the Ascension. He tells them this.

“Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised,

which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with

water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy

Spirit….You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on

you; and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:4-8).

The Holy Spirit will enable these Apostles to witness effectively to the

sayings and doings of Jesus. The Spirit will invigorate this community’s

testifying that Jesus has dwelled among us and has spoken to us.

What happens at this moment? Jesus “raises his hands, and blesses

them” (Luke 14:50). The blessing might be like this priestly blessing

from scripture:

Bless the God of all,

Who has done wondrous things on earth….

May God grant you joy of heart,

And may peace abide among you;

May his goodness toward us endure in Israel

As long as the heavens are above (Sirach 50:22-24).

“And as Jesus was blessing them, he withdrew from them” (Luke

24:51). “And a cloud hid him from their sight” (Acts 1:9). We are

reminded that when Jesus underwent interrogation by the Sanhedrin, He

said, “You will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power

and coming with the clouds of heaven” (Mark 14:62). Christ’s going

reminds us that during Mass we expect the second coming of our Lord:

“until he comes again.”

Jesus ascends into heaven, yet this Lord promises to remain with his

Church. The Lord remains with us individually, such as in the Eucharist.

Jesus remains with His Church as in scripture, and as in Mass. Amen.