He instructed the Apostles to remain in Jerusalem to receive the Holy Spirit, the source of power. Today’s First Reading describes how Jesus interacted with his disciples for forty days after his Resurrection. This reflection is shaped by the New Testament accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. In this reflection, I share with you the message of the Ascension of the Lord Jesus, the Prince of Peace into His Heavenly glory. The Holy Spirit helps us to know that the Prince of Peace reigns on His Holy Throne forever. The power of the Holy Spirit makes us confident of God’s protection even in the face of suffering and death. The power of the Holy Spirit is also given to each us so that we may preach the Good News of salvation to all the nations. This is the energy of the Holy Spirit who came down upon the Apostles. These celebrations tell us that the Church must be a community for and in mission, guided by the power of the Holy Spirit.Īfter promising the Holy Spirit as the source of power for the apostles to bear witnesses throughout the whole world, the Prince of Peace, the Risen Christ, said: “I am with you always, even to the end of time.” In union with the Church, we celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection and Ascension into glory after his suffering and death. It also begins the work of the disciples to teach and share what they have learned and witnessed from Jesus. It brings about both “an ending and a beginning.” It brings an end to the physical appearances of Jesus. It means that the promise and mission of Jesus, the Messiah is fulfilled. Jesus’ Ascension brings the revelation of the “Good News” to a completion.
This indicates that the season of Easter is nearly at an end. In Ireland and many other countries, the feast of the Ascension was moved to Sunday, 29th May, 2022, the Sunday before Pentecost to encourage more Christians to observe and participate in this very important feast. For these countries, today celebrates the Seventh Sunday of Easter. In many countries where the Ascension of the Lord is observed as a Holiday of Obligation, the celebration of the Ascension of the Lord was celebrated on Thursday. As part of a long-established practice, Ascension is celebrated on a Thursday to mark the end of Jesus’ earthly existence as an event preceding Pentecost, the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Ascension can be a spiritual, physical, mental or a complete transformation of a being.įrom the Christian perspective, the Feast of the Ascension of Jesus Christ is also called Ascension Day, which celebrates the 40th day of Easter. Literally, the word Ascension means “going up” or “something that goes up.” It entails the action of rising to a relevant throne or higher position. The term Ascension involves an action, movement or a transformation. We also celebrate today, the World Communication Day. Today, we celebrate in a joyful manner, the feast of the Ascension of the Lord, Year C. REFLECTION BY FR CORNELIUS NWAOGWUGWU, CM READINGS FOR THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD, YEAR C, SUNDAY 29TH MAY, 2022.
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