Today we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord when Jesus' resurrected body departed our world and was "taken up in glory" (1 Tm. 3:16) where He "is seated at the right hand of God" (Col. 3:1). His mission accomplished; Jesus returned to His Father in heaven. While the Ascension marks the end of Jesus' physical ministry here with us, it is a sign to all His disciples that our work building the kingdom of God is just beginning.
The disciples did not go out to build the kingdom unprepared. Jesus told them to wait "until [they were] clothed with power from on high" (Luke 24:49). Once the "power of the Holy Spirit" came upon them, they could fulfill their mission to carry on the work Jesus began. Their mission was to preach "repentance for the forgiveness of sins" (Luke 24:47) and to proclaim the good news "in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). That mission is now our responsibility. Jesus expects us to witness, to teach and to proclaim the same good news. And like the first disciples, we too are prepared. We are "are clothed with power from on high."
Next Sunday we celebrate the Solemnity of Pentecost. During these days leading up to Pentecost please pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on our Church and on all of us so that we can follow Jesus’ instructions to preach the gospel of the kingdom “throughout the world as a witness to all nations” (Matt. 24:14).
Lord our God,
your Son Jesus Christ lives in your glory
to be nearer to us through his Holy Spirit
and to be near to all people through us.
Give us the Holy Spirit,
that we may have the courage
to help you save the world by serving it
and by building up your kingdom
of justice, truth, and love,
in the name of him whom we await,
Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord
and our Savior forever.
Amen.
