VII Sunday Easter-Ascension:[A]:Acts1:1-11;Eph1:17-23;Mt28:16-20

VII Sunday Easter-Ascension:[A]:Acts1:1-11;Eph1:17-23;Mt28:16-20

Introduction:  Today is the 7th and the last Sunday of Easter Season. The feast of “The Ascension of the Lord” that we celebrate today was actually last Thursday – exactly 40 days after Easter, but because of its importance and for pastoral reasons we are allowed to move it to this Sunday, as we have done today.

Exegesis: In Luke and Acts of the Apostles the Ascension takes place in Bethany, near Jerusalem, whereas in Mathew and Mark it takes place in Galilee. However, both agree that it takes place on a mountain.  Today, we have St. Luke's account of the Ascension as described in the First Reading of today from the Acts of Apostles. Jesus led his disciples as far as Bethany and we are told that on a mountain “As they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.” Then, they joyfully returned to Jerusalem praising God. There are two details worth noting in this description:

Firstly, it took place in 'Bethany,'  the place from which Jesus entered  Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Now it is also from Bethany that Jesus enters the 'heavenly Jerusalem' - the 'dwelling place' of His Father.

Secondly, the 'cloud' mentioned is no ordinary cloud. In the Old Testament, the cloud was a sign not only of the Father's closeness to His people but also of His presence. So, we are told that it is the Father who is at work in the Ascension of Jesus.

Ascension is a glorification of our Lord Jesus Christ, ascension marks the end of Jesus' earthly work of redemption and ascension can also be seen as Jesus parting from his disciples.  This feast is the hope of our glorification and a guarantee to meet our Lord in heaven. It is a reminder of our salvation, a reminder that our true home is in heaven. So, today, we are challenged to look beyond this world to the destiny which we are to share with Christ in heaven. This world is only a place of temporary refuge; a world of passage and not a world of permanence.

Joke:  1) The ascension mission to preach the gospel: After attending a convention led by Billy Graham a woman wrote to him. “Dear Sir, I feel that God is calling me to preach the gospel. But the trouble is that I have twelve children. What shall I do?” The televangelist replied: “Dear Madam, I am delighted to hear that God has called you to preach the Gospel. I am even more delighted to hear that He has already provided you with a congregation in your own home.”

Practical: This feast of the Ascension is a reminder for all of us, not just of what awaits us when we die, but also what we need to do while still on earth alive. Jesus before his Ascension commissioned his disciples, and us too, to be his witnesses and carry out his mission to the ends of the earth till his return. We have to make time to become more and more like Christ in everything. Then we can proclaim the Good News to others not only through our words and deeds, but also though our lives, so that Jesus will also reign in their hearts and one day we all will be with him in heaven.

Introduction:  Seventh Sunday of Easter-Ascension

Message: Jesus commissions his disciples to baptize in his name, reminding them that he is always present through his Spirit. Having ascended to his Father amid cries of gladness, we are to be his witnesses for we have been gifted with his Spirit of wisdom and revelation. Let us, therefore, live in a manner worthy of the call we have received.

Saints and Events in this week: 2-Second-Monday-Saints Marcellinus and Peter, martyrs; 3-Third-Tuesday-Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions, martyrs; 5-Fifth-Thursday-Saint Boniface, bishop, martyr; 6-Sixth-Friday-Saint Norbert, bishop; 8-Eighth-Sunday-Pentacost Sunday;