Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord (B)

 

May 16, 2021                                                                    

Readings:

First Reading: Acts of the Apostles 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 Mark 16: 15-20

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Homily: 

Jesus called his disciples to Galilee to meet them for the last time while he was still on earth. He instructed them to go to the whole world and to proclaim the Gospel to all peoples.   “Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.  Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned’.” (Mark 16: 15-16).  He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them for 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 promised 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 1:3-5).  While Jesus was still them, he accompanied his disciples in their confusion and doubt until everything was clear to them.  He did not allow them to go anywhere but to remain in Jerusalem and wait for the coming Holy Spirit before they can preach anywhere.  Whoever accepted the gospel and was baptized will be saved, and whoever does not accept the good news is condemned.

Those who believe in the name of Jesus and his gospel, will be accompanied with signs and wonders for “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes to you.” (Acts 16: 8).  “These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick serpents in their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them.  They will lay hands on the ick, and they will recover” (Mark 16: 17-18).  Those who believe will have the power over Satan and his demons, it becomes easy to communicate in foreign languages, even dangerous serpent can easily catch by your hand, when somebody poisoned you, when you drink it it will not hard you, and when you lay your hands to a sick person, he or she will be cured and recovered.  When you are in God, nothing is impossible, all is possible if you have faith; if you believe in God.

Jesus said, “you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”  “So, then the Lord Jesus after he spoke to them was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God” (Mark 16: 19).  “When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him in their sight” (Acts 16: 9).  After speaking with his disciples, Jesus ascended into heaven and now is seated at the right hand of the Father.  The two angels dressed in white said to them, while still looking up to heaven, “This Jesus who has taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven” (Acts.

Full of faith, hope, confidence and trust in the power of the Holy Spirit, the disciples spread starting from Jerusalem, all over Judea in the North and Samaria to the South, and to the rest of the earth, with enthusiasm, interest, and love to proclaim the words of Jesus Christ to everyone.  “But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs” (Mark 16: 20).  Jesus who left his disciples still remains with them in the Holy Spirit and God the Father, thus the words and works of the disciples have power.