THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD

All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations.

Mt 28:16-20

THE ASCENSION ACCORDING TO ACTS

The ascension took place 40 days after the Resurrection. During that time Jesus through his appearances proved that he was alive. He instructed his apostles about the Kingdom and told them to wait in Jerusalem for the coming of the Holy Spirit. When he comes, they will become his witnesses, first in Jerusalem, then in Palestine, and finally to the ends of the earth. Even after instructing them for 40 days, they still did not understand Jesus and his mission. For if they understood, they would not ask: “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” Until now they were still thinking of Jesus and the Kingdom in terms of earthly power.
The ascension is described as Jesus rising towards heaven and then being hidden by the clouds. Two men in white garments (angels) tell the disciples that the Parousia (return of Jesus) will happen in the same way.

In the Acts of the Apostles it seems that the ascension took place somewhere in the vicinity of Jerusalem.

THE ASCENSION ACCORDING TO MATTHEW

At the appearance of Jesus, the Eleven worshipped him. They were no longer Twelve because of the defection of Judas Iscariot. Although they worshipped him, they still “doubted”. In Matthew the Greek word that was translated as “doubt” means little faith. In other words, Matthew is saying that even at that point the faith of the disciples was not as strong as it should be. They may have to wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit to strengthen that faith.

It is on this occasion that Jesus gave the Great Commission to his disciples: to make disciples of all nations, to baptize them and to instruct them to obey his commandments and not the commandments of Moses. Jesus ends by assuring them of his presence. He will be with them as they carry out the Great Commission.

It is to be noted that Matthew does not say anything about Jesus ascending into heaven at after this.

WE’RE BORN FOR GREATER THINGS

Sapagkat ako’y tao lamang. Yes, we’re weak. We’re prone to fall. In fact, due to original sin we carry within ourselves this weakness towards sin. But we’re not doomed to follow our baser instincts. In fact, we were born for greater things. And as the Solemnity of the Ascension reminds us: our destiny is up there where we belong.

IN PROCESS