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What
is the Ascension?
The
Church has been celebrating the Ascension of Jesus into heaven from as
far back as the 4th century. Our observance of Ascension Day
underlines our belief that Jesus “ascended into heaven and is seated
at the right hand of the Father”- as we say in the Creed - and there
he speaks to the Father on our behalf.
For
centuries the feast was held on what is called Ascension Thursday, forty
days after Easter Day. But, in our time, with changed working hours and
greatly changed social conditions, the feast is now held in many places
on the Sunday after Ascension Thursday.
The
scriptural account of the Ascension is found in two passages in St
Luke’s writings: in the Acts of
the Apostles (1:6-11) and in his gospel (24:50-52). After rising
from the dead on Easter Day, Jesus appeared several times to his
disciples. Finally he led them out of Jerusalem to nearby Bethany, where
he promised to send the Holy Spirit to them, to guide and encourage
them. With the Spirit’s help they would become witnesses to him and to
all he taught and did, while he was with them on earth. Then he was
“lifted up while they looked on, and a cloud took him from their
sight” (Acts, 1:9). This
account is included in our Profession of Faith (the Creed) and in three
of the Eucharistic Prayers said at Mass.
We
celebrate the Ascension for these reasons:
(1)
The Ascension is the last of several post-Resurrection physical
appearances of Jesus to his followers, to reassure them he was alive.
(2)
In ascending to the heavens he goes to “the right hand of the
Father”, where he receives from the Father power over the whole
world. He has triumphed over death, and he acts as our advocate,
‘pleading the cause’ of each one of us.
(3)
The Ascension is the moment when the
followers of Jesus are commissioned to be his witnesses before the
world, and to continue the mission he began and developed during his
years with them on earth. Christian believers today are called to be
part of that mission.
(4)
It is the moment when Jesus promises
to send the Holy Spirit to his disciples - and to us: a promise
fulfilled at Pentecost, and for every Christian at baptism.
Australian
scripture scholar, Fr Brendan Byrne S.J., says that St Luke is conveying
“the continuity between the ministry of Jesus and that of the
disciples who, when empowered with the Spirit at Pentecost, will become
eye-witnesses and ministers of the Word.” This feast “celebrates the
hope that [Jesus’] triumph will ultimately be ours as well”.
The
Church’s mission to be Christ in our world begins at this moment, when
Jesus gives this commission to his followers and, by extension, to
Christians of our time: all are called to be witnesses to Christ by
living according to the Gospel. Ascension Day also reminds us that our
final destiny is to rise and be with the Lord for ever.
Paul J. Duffy SJ
Hawthorn Parish
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