Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord (A)

World Communications Day 

May 24, 2020

Readings:

First Reading: Acts 1: 1-11

Psalm 47 “God mounts his throne to shouts of joy; a blare  of trumpets for the Lord.”

Second Reading: Ephesians 1: 17-23

Gospel reading according to Matthew 28: 16-20

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Homily: I am with you always, until the end of the age.

The Eleven disciples, excluding Judas Iscariot who killed himself by hanging on a tree, went back to where they started, in Galilee, where the angels announced to the women in the tomb and proclaimed it to his disciples, “Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‵He has been raised from the dead, and he is gong before you to Galilee, there you will see him′.” (Mt. 28:7).  “The Eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them” (Matthew 28: 16).  Mixed emotions were happenings to the disciples when they came back to Galilee.  They have to expose themselves from the Jews in Jerusalem where they were hiding, and to the people of Galilee who knew them as his disciples.  A mixture of unexplained happiness, of fear, and shame, and courageous strength to what they stand for.  Besides,, they are meeting their Master and Teacher, Jesus the Christ.

When they arrived at the designated place, a mountain in Galilee, they met him.  “When they saw him, they worshipped, but they doubted” (Matthew 28: 17).  All of them worshipped him, yet they were still divided, for some of them could not believe that he resurrected from the dead; while others were totally convinced that he is truly alive resurrected from the dead, and in front of them.  The group was disunited, others were confused and unbelief while the others were totally converted and committed to the resurrection of Jesus Christ.    

Jess, as true Leader, Preacher and Master, can sense there was something wrong among the Apostles.  He sensed and experienced division and disunity with regards to his resurrection.   The first group composed of Simon Peter and Andrew, James and John believed the passion, crucifixion, death and on the third day he resurrected.  Some proofs of the faith of Simon Peter and Andrew, James and John were when Peter said: “You have the word that gives eternal life” and “You are Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.”  When Jesus wet up to Mount Tabor he brought with him some of his disciples whom he transfigured and in another occasion, he brought some of his disciples to the synagogue official′s daughter who died but he brought back to life.  The other disciples, like Thomas who sad, “Unless I put my finger on his hands, my hand on his side, and on his feet, I will not believe.” Also Philip who said, “Show to us the Father and that is enough for us.” They have only premonition and speculation with regards the transfiguration of Jesus and the rising of a dead daughter.  They did not witness them, so even when Jesus and his companions came down from the mountain, a father of a possessed son on came to him and said that his disciples where not  able to dispel the demon, and Jeus said, “How little faith you have.”  And many incidents that the disciples did not see only hear what Jesus said but not what he has done, while the other disciples who saw personally many miracles were told not to tell to any one until the Son of Man ascended into heave.  Beside the Holy Spirit does not yet descend to them.   

So Jesus for a short time taught his disciples who until now could not believe that he resurrected. “Then Jesus approached and said to them, ‵All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And behold I am with you always, until the end of the age′.” (Matthew 28: 18-20).  Afterwards, he commissioned all of them to go to all nations, teach them and let them observe his commandments, make them also disciples by baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  He told them also that he will be always with them (with us) when the Father and He send the Holy Spirit to them to guide them, strengthen them and constantly remind them all the things he had said and done.  Then, suddenly, he ascended to heaven amidst the clouds.