The Ascension of the Lord

Mass Readings

• First Reading Acts 1:1-11
• Responsorial Psalm Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9
• Second Reading Ephesians 1:17-23
• Gospel Mark 16:15-20

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In the Ecclesiastical Province of Seattle (the dioceses of Seattle, Spokane and Yakima), the Ascension is transferred from Thursday, May 6, to this Sunday, replacing the Seventh Sunday of Easter. The second reading may instead be Ephesians 4:1-13.

Step Into the Story

Luke wrote two volumes for “most excellent Theophilus,” and the Ascension hinges them together. Today’s Gospel comes from the longer ending of Mark, missing from Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus, both of the 300s, but quoted by St. Irenaeus around 180 A.D. and received by the Church as Scripture. Around 390 A.D. a wealthy Roman lady named Poemenia built a round church, open to the sky, on the summit of Olivet.

1. 14 A.D.Tiberius becomes emperor
2. c. 18 A.D.Caiaphas becomes high priest
3. 26 A.D.Pilate becomes prefect
4. c. 30 A.D.Jesus is crucified
5. This week’s scene: c. 30 A.D.Jesus ascends from Olivet

Walk out of Jerusalem with the Eleven forty days after Easter, likely in late spring of 30 A.D. Cross the Kidron and climb the Mount of Olives, a sabbath day’s walk, about two thirds of a mile. Early summer is coming on; the barley is in and the wheat harvest is underway in the valleys. The sun is warm on the white stone of the path, and the olive trees give a little shade. Look back across the valley at the Temple and the city.

At the top He stops. The Eleven gather around Him, still asking about the kingdom of Israel. Stand among them on the hilltop, the wind in your face, the whole land spread out to the east toward the Jordan. Watch Him raise His hands, and keep your eyes on Him.

Encounter the Lord

Stand with the apostles on the Mount of Olives. Jesus raises His hands to bless you, and as He blesses, He is lifted up until a cloud hides Him. You keep staring at the sky. Two men in white ask, “Why are you standing there looking at the sky?”

The Ascension is not Jesus leaving us. It is our human nature, in Him, entering the glory of God. Where the Head has gone, the members hope to follow. And He has not gone far: He is seated at the Father’s right hand interceding for you, and He works with His Church, as Mark says, confirming the word. The angels’ question is also a command. Do not stand still gazing upward. Go and tell the world.

This week, pray each day for the gift of the Holy Spirit, as the apostles did in the upper room before Pentecost. Ask Him to show you one person to whom you can speak about Christ.

Know Your Faith

He Ascended into Heaven

Christ’s Ascension marks the definitive entrance of Jesus’ humanity into God’s heavenly domain, from where He will come again (CCC 665). Only the one who came from the Father can return to the Father (CCC 661).

Seated at the Right Hand

Being seated at the Father’s right hand signifies the inauguration of the Messiah’s kingdom, the fulfillment of Daniel’s vision of the Son of Man (CCC 664). Christ’s Ascension signifies His participation, in His humanity, in God’s power and authority (CCC 668).

Our Head Goes Before Us

Jesus Christ, the head of the Church, precedes us into the Father’s glorious kingdom so that we, the members of His Body, may live in the hope of being with Him forever (CCC 666). He intercedes constantly for us and assures us of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (CCC 667).

Sent to the Whole World

As Christ was sent by the Father, so He sent the apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit, to preach the Gospel to every creature (CCC 1086). Since the Ascension God’s plan has entered into its fulfillment; we are already in “the last hour” (CCC 670).