Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord (B)

Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord (B)

World Communications Day

May 13, 2018

Readings:

First Reading; Acts of the Apostles 10: 1-11

Psalm: 47

Second Reading: Ephesians 1: 17-23

Gospel reading according to Mark (16: 15-20)

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Homily:

Jesus, for the last time before ascending into heaven to the Father, has shown bodily and spirit in Mount Olivet (of Olives) to his disciples alive, and after forty days of staying here on earth after his resurrection from the dead, telling them his final commendation to preach the Gospel into the whole world to every creature. They must “go” and leave their comfort zone and go to places where Jesus even his Father and the Holy Spirit are unknown.  The gospel they will preach is the love of Jesus to the Father, and their love shared to us, which include also the faith and hope coming from the Holy Spirit. “Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature’.” (Mark 16: 15).  Until the day Jesus was taken up to heaven he continued teaching his disciples by giving instructions and to do the will of his Father for the sake of the Kingdom of God. After they received the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, they became the witnesses of him, and went to preach the good news starting from Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.  What are the other things the disciples preach to all creatures into the whole world?  In the first reading, in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles, Luke said: “In the first book (the gospel), Theophilus (which means lover of God), I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught until the day he was taken up, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.  He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days, and speaking about the Kingdom of God.  While meeting with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak, for John baptized with water; but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 1: 1-5).  Therefore, these are the things the apostles will also preach into the whole world: all that Jesus did and taught, instructions through the Holy Spirit, which he is alive and appearing to them during forty days, speaking about the Kingdom of God and, the coming and baptism of the Holy Spirit to those who believe after hearing the good news from those whom he sent.  

To those who believe from the preaching of the apostles, salvation is installed to them.  “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mar 16: 16); meaning, our Lord Jesus Christ were accepted and believed in his teachings for the Spirit of the Lord was working with the apostles and inspired the hearers/listeners of the good news, for they were given the gifts of the Spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowing him.  As Saint Paul said to the Ephesians, the results of believing Jesus in the preaching of the apostles are these: “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” (Eph. 1: 17-19), and other saving powers store for those who believe.  What happens to those who do not believe, for still there were many who closed their hearts, minds, eyes, hands and other senses against the preaching of the apostles about the gospel?  “. . . whoever does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16: 16).  They will be judged in the end of time.  As Saint Paul continued his preaching to the people of Ephesus, he said: “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 . . . And he put all things beneath his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way” (Eph. 1: 19-20, 22-23).   In the fullness of time, when everything is put beneath at Jesus’ feet, everyone will be judged – either he/she receives a reward for believing or punishment for not believing.

To the preachers and to those who believe, Jesus guaranteed that their words and faith in him are accompanied by signs, miracles and wonders.  “These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages.  They will pick up serpents with their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them.  They will lay hands on the sick, and they recover” (Mark 16: 17-18).  As part of their acceptance on the belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of the world, they receive signs from him, to show that he is in company of them, that he is present in them.  That is why they can perform many signs, miracles and wonders through him.

“So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven . . .” (Mark 16: 19).  After giving instructions to his disciples, Jesus was taken up into heaven.  The Gospel of John has three references to ascension in Jesus’ own words: “No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the son of man” (John 3:13); “What if you were to see the son of man ascending where he was before?” (John 6:62); and to Mary Magdalene after his resurrection, “Do not hold me, for I not yet ascended to my father...” (John 20:17).  There was already an indication that after his passion, death and resurrection Jesus will be ascending into heaven as the final glorification of him by God the Father.  There are also various epistles/letters that speak about the ascension of Jesus, for example, Romans 8:34, Ephesians 1:19-20, Colossians 3:1, Philippians 2:9-11, 1Timothy 3:16, and 1 Peter 3:21-22.  As his reward, though he did not need any reward, Jesus received from his Father a share in his throne.  He is now seated at the right hand of the Father.  This can be found also in the Apostles’ Creed, “. . . and took his seat at the right hand of God” (Mark 16: 19).  In reference to the ascension, in Luke-Acts, John and Mark, is to equate it with the post-resurrection “exaltation and glorification” of Jesus to the right hand of God.   

“But they went forth and preached everywhere . . .” (Mark 16: 20); preaching the gospel is a mandate not only to his apostles and disciples but to all of us who believed and baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  The gospel we preach is Jesus himself, his love, truth, justice, peace and all the values and virtues he bequeathed to us.  He demanded also to us what we preached we lived in our lives, so that those who do not know yet Jesus Christ and his teachings may see in our actions, words and deeds that we are truly followers of Christ Jesus.  Despite Jesus ascended into heaven, truly he did not abandon us totally “. . . while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs” (Mark 15: 20).  Jesus is true to what he said that he will be with us until the end of time, accompanying us in our ministries in proclaiming and living the gospel with many signs. He accompanies us with his signs in our living, preaching and believing the gospel he bestowed on us.