Ascension

In some parts of the United States, the Feast of the Ascension is celebrated on Thursday, 40 days after Easter. In other parts, Ascension has been moved to Sunday.

How ironic that before Jesus ascends to heaven, He prays that the church will be one! Unity within the Church, however, is not about uniformity in practice; it’s about uniformity in beliefs and liturgy, in doctrine and morals, in good works and in constant prayer.

In other words, unity means we think, act and pray with the mind and heart of Christ.

The Ascension of Jesus into Heaven is not the end of the mission, but a new beginning as the Apostles are sent to preach the Good News. The message of the Gospel is confirmed by the signs that accompany their preaching, a clear indication that the Lord is working through them. United to Christ, the early Church will grow and prosper.

Jesus did not call the Apostles just to watch Him ascend to the Father. He gives them a mission, just as He gives us a mission, which we sometimes call a vocation. That is the mission and call that unites us together, joined to Christ, the Head of His Body, the Church.

But it is not simply a connection for the sake of unity. Faith does not do well standing around and waiting for something to happen. It needs to move, to act, to proclaim in word and deed, through us, that Jesus is the Risen Lord.

James Gaffney,
Karides Lic. to Saint George Publishing
jim@pilotbulletinbuilder.net