Ascension Thursday 21 May 2009 –
Homily, Fr. Aelred
When the time came for Jesus to finally leave this world, he took his Apostles up to the top of the Mount of Olives. He was returning to the Father. He was going to glory. As he ascended he directed their eyes upwards, towards the place where he was going.
But he also pointed their eyes outwards. He showed them that there was a great world out there waiting to hear the Gospel. He gave them the task of bringing the Gospel to that vast world, and promised to send them the Holy Spirit to equip them to that task.
The apostles liked it on the hill, so much so that they wanted to remain there. But a voice called them back to reality: “Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking up into the heavens?” Even though they had to go back down into the real world, their lives would never be the same.
The apostles liked it on the hill, so much so that they wanted to remain there. But a voice called them back to reality: “Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking up into the heavens?” Even though they had to go back down into the real world, their lives would never be the same.
This feast is as much about us as about Jesus. His ascension shows us where the goal of our earthly journey lies. It is a goal and a destiny which is beyond our imagination. It pushes out our horizons beyond the boundaries of this world. It gives an eternal dimension to our lives.
Jesus went back to the source, the Alpha and the Omega. This is the meaning of his Ascension. It is not a journey into an outer space, but a journey home. His Ascension does not represent his removal from the earth, but his constant presence everywhere on earth. During his earthly ministry he could only be in one place at a time. But now that he is united with God, He is present wherever; and that is everywhere.
We live in the hope that the words of Jesus will come true for us :’Where I am, you too shall be’. Meanwhile we have a task to do: to preach the Gospel and to be his witness in the world.
That’s a task that we fulfil principally by the way we live our daily lives.
The Gospel may speak of some of the marvels associated with believers in the early days of the Church, such as healings, and casting out of devils and speaking with tongues. But we too, in our own small, less dramatic way – by our patience, our little acts of kindness, our concern for others, our readiness to forgive, our joy, our humble living out to the Gospel – we too are bearing witness to our Lord’s message, we too are living signs confirming that Jesus has risen.
The Gospel may speak of some of the marvels associated with believers in the early days of the Church, such as healings, and casting out of devils and speaking with tongues. But we too, in our own small, less dramatic way – by our patience, our little acts of kindness, our concern for others, our readiness to forgive, our joy, our humble living out to the Gospel – we too are bearing witness to our Lord’s message, we too are living signs confirming that Jesus has risen.
Jesus has ascended.
Jesus is Lord.
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