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The Solemnity of the Ascension (Year A)

St. Luke records in his Acts of the Apostles what we hear today in the first reading. He tells us of an event that is part of the Paschal Mystery of Jesus the Christ. This event is the Ascension: “he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight” (Acts 1:9).

On Good Friday, Jesus died upon the Cross. His divinity remained united to his human body upon the cross and within the tomb. His divinity also remained united to his human soul, which descended into the abode of the dead to preach to “the souls in prison” (See 1 Peter 3:18-22) who were awaiting the Messiah. On Easter Sunday, Jesus’ body and soul were reunited in the Resurrection and gloriously transformed!

For 40 days, Jesus appeared to the apostles he had chosen, “speaking about the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3). That is, after Jesus resurrected from the dead, he spent a good 5 ½ weeks on earth with his apostles. On Ascension Thursday, Jesus ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father (See Ephesians 1:20, which is part of the second reading). This is an idiom that means: “to be enthroned as king.” This is why today we sing the psalm response: “God mounts his throne to shouts of joy!” (Psalm 47:6).

On Pentecost Sunday (which we will celebrate next Sunday), Jesus answered the disciples’ novena (nine days of prayer) with the gift of the Holy Spirit who was given to the newborn Church, the Kingdom of God on earth, so that it might grow, spread, and flourish to unite all of humanity with God through Jesus Christ.

Finally, in today’s Gospel, we discover the magnificent authority Jesus has given to his Church. Right at the end of St. Matthew’s Gospel (28:16-20), just before Jesus’ Ascension, Jesus gave all authority to the eleven remaining Apostles. “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me … I am with you always.” This Great Commission, given to the Apostles, is just how Jesus extends his reign: though the bishops who are successors to the Apostles! This reign is further extended through those priests who receive authority by the bishops.

This authority is so powerful that an early bishop, martyr, and disciple of St. John the Apostle wrote:

Indeed, when you submit to the bishop as you would to Jesus Christ, it is clear to me that you are living not in the manner of men but as Jesus Christ, who died for us, that through faith in his death you might escape dying. It is necessary, therefore—and such is your practice that you do nothing without the bishop, and that you be subject also to the presbytery, as to the apostles of Jesus Christ our hope, in whom we shall be found, if we live in him. (St. Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Trallians, Chapter 2).

The Church is a holy kingdom with true authority.