Commentary on the Gospel of

Fr. Johnson Joseph Thurackal CMF

The feast of ascension is summarized in this way: The Lord Jesus ascended to his Heavenly glory after promising to send the Apostles the Holy Spirit as the source of Heavenly power and commanding them to bear witness to Him through their lives and preaching throughout the world. In the Ascension of Jesus, we proclaim the grand finale of all Jesus’ words and works done for us and for our salvation.

The Ascension is a culmination, not a conclusion. Therefore, it clearly leaves a message and task of continuation. The Gospel makes it clear as to how the message of ascension should be taken forward. “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).  “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Mt 28:19). The mission of every disciple is clearly announced in the Ascension.

Ascension also shed its shadow on the mystery of incarnation. God who united himself with the humans by becoming flesh, united to humans to God in Jesus’ ascension. In the event of the ascension, the humans receive their true dignity, and the realization that it is indeed divine to be a human. It should be our endeavor to be more human day by day, animated by the Spirit of God, and enlivened by loved and service. To proclaim this message to whole world is the mandate we assume today.

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