Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord (Homily)

May 08, 2016 5:00 pm  · Father David Mbimadong

Homilies, Easter

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. The first reading recalls all that happened when Jesus was to ascend to His Father. St Luke recounts all that Jesus did, and taught His disciples within the 40 days of his resurrection. He added that Jesus advised his disciples not to leave Jerusalem until they were baptized with the Holy Spirit. Then when at last He led them out, He reminded them that when the Holy Spirit is sent to them, they would be His witnesses throughout the world.

Having said this, there in the sight of his disciples, Jesus was taken up to Heaven.  His disciples were perplexed, they stood there wondering, then out of nowhere two angels appeared to them and told them to go back to Jerusalem and do as their master had instructed them.  The angels also assured them that their master would come back on the wings of the clouds in the same way they saw him go up.  The gospel in it's turn, adds that before Jesus ascended to His Father, He reminded His disciples that His death and resurrection were meant to grant access, to preaching repentance for the forgiveness of sins to all nations.  To make them capable of bearing credible witness, Jesus blessed His disciples and told them to wait for the descent of the Holy Spirit.  In the same way Jesus prepared His apostles for the task of proclaiming the Good News of God's love and mercy, mother Church, the spouse of Christ, also prepares us for proclaiming the risen Christ to the whole world.