Glory!

 

Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord

Year B

Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 47:2-3, 6-9; Ephesians 1:17-23; Mark 16:15-20

May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones, and what is the surpassing greatness of his power for us who believe, in accord with the exercise of his great might, which he worked in Christ, raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens, far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this age but also in the one to come.
Ephesians 1:18-21

One of my pet peeves is when people refer to the last book of the Bible as “Revelations”.  It isn’t.  It isn’t plural; it’s singular.  It’s Revelation.  More specifically, it is The Revelation of Jesus Christ.  Its title is given in the very first sentence.  The book isn’t focused, as many presume, on a series of visions that point to the end of the world.  Rather, it is a singular vision focused on our Lord Jesus Christ in His triumphant glory.

That’s what today’s feast is all about- Jesus in His triumphant glory.  And it’s a shame that this day doesn’t get more attention than it does.  Rather, it is relegated to almost an afterthought.  Perhaps this is because it is missing from some of the Gospel accounts, and even when it is mentioned it is only in passing.  Today’s selection from Mark almost seems to go by it as it says, “So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven.”  Ah, but don’t miss the rest as it concludes, “… and took his seat at the right hand of God.”

The Ascension is not merely a way to get Jesus off the stage in order to continue with the story.  It is the story!  Jesus didn’t rise from the dead only to die at a later time.  He rose victorious and triumphant and then ascended into heaven where He could take His rightful place at the right hand of the Father, there to await the Day of His return in power and glory to judge the living and the dead and to establish His kingdom forever.

In the Acts of the Apostles we get a glimpse into the greatness of this event when we read, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky?  This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.”  Were they looking with longing because Jesus was taken from them?  Or were they looking in awe?  Perhaps both, but certainly the latter.

In St. Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians we have our text.  Paul seems to lose himself in his own writing as he is reflecting on the great mystery of our Lord’s Ascension into glory.  He is far above all other power, both now and forever.  Jesus has the name above every other name and it is His name we magnify. 

Picture a triumphant king returning to his own land after conquering his enemies and arriving amidst a great retinue with the trophies of his triumph.  That is what we are observing.  We’re only seeing it from this side.  But heaven must have seen it the other way.  Here was our Lord returning to His heavenly home to take His rightful place which He had occupied from eternity past.  Only now He comes with souls in tow.  These are the souls rescued by Him from death.  From now on, the heavenly portal remains open to those who put their trust in Him!

Our Lord’s work of salvation is completed.  Now He may sit down and reign until every last enemy is put under His feet. 

Does it seem as if the Lord is reigning?  Has He been reigning over the last year while the world was turned upside down by the pandemic?  Is He reigning now while we, once again, watch the bloody conflict arising in the Middle East?  Has He been reigning while our streets and our nation have been torn apart by racial and political strife?  Does He reign in the midst of poverty, crime, illness, tragedy, and death?  The answer to all these questions is a resounding YES!  But it doesn’t seem that way.  Only those with eyes of faith and hearts of love can see it.

How do we respond to today’s feast?  First, with glorious praise and adoration of our King!  Second, with humble submission to His divine authority.  Third, with joyful proclamation of His victory.  And finally, with eager anticipation of His return in glory.

For those who regularly pray the rosary you will remember that the Second Glorious Mystery is The Ascension and that the virtue we recall is hope.  Hope for what?  Hope for eternal glory!  We look up, just like those first apostles, to recall that our Lord who ascended in glory will return in the same with power.  Our Lord has gone to His heavenly kingdom to prepare a place for us.  Then let us live like those who are heirs to such a kingdom!

Amidst the alarming headlines of the current day it can be easy to lose sight of what this day means.  Don’t let it happen.  As surely as we celebrated Easter joy, let us celebrate Ascension glory.  Our Lord reigns- now and forever!  Now He reigns in the hearts of those who are His.  But someday He will return- just like He left- to reign victorious over the nations.  Oh, what a day that will be!  I want to be part of that celebration.  Don’t you?