Gospel

The authority of Christ. Ascension of the Lord (A)

Joseph Evans comments on the readings of the Ascension of the Lord (A).

Joseph Evans-May 15, 2023-Reading time: 2 minutes

"Having said this, in their sight he was taken up to heaven, until a cloud took him out of their sight.". And we pray in today's Collective Prayer: "Where our Head has already gloriously advanced, we hope to arrive also the members of his body."

The Solemnity of the Ascension brings together a number of big beliefs. Firstly, that we form part of the body of Christ, as St Paul taught in his epistles. Christ is the head, we are the members. It’s not just a metaphor: it’s a living, organic reality. When we are baptised we enter spiritually into Christ’s body. So if Christ the head has gone up to heaven, we hope to follow.

Then, the reality of the Ascension of our Lord. After his Resurrection, Jesus spent 40 days on earth, eating and drinking with his disciples, teaching them. And then, at the end of those days, he returned to heaven with his human and glorious body. As we say in the Creed every Sunday, "ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father".  

It is striking how today’s readings weave together the weakness and narrowness of vision of Christ’s disciples and the power of Our Lord in heaven. On earth the disciples are still over-concerned about the political kingdom of Israel, and others still doubt the Resurrection. And while the cloud hiding Christ as he ascends points to his hiddenness, today’s readings also insist on his power and authority in heaven. "I have been given all power in heaven and on earth." Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father "in heaven, above all principality, power, might and dominion, and above every name that is known, not only in this world, but also in the world to come." as the second reading teaches. God "He put all things under his feet, and gave them to the Church, as Head, over all things." 

The psalm tells us that it has come up with "trumpet call". to be "king over the nations" y "reign on his holy throne". Hidden God and human frailty on the one hand, divine power in heaven on the other. And it is precisely in this context that Our Lord sends us: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations."promising us that he will be with us "every day, until the end of time". 

But is this not the ongoing dynamic of the Church’s life? In the weakness of her members and leaders but with the power of Christ in heaven, the Church goes forward in her evangelising mission. Jesus seems invisible, as if in another faraway dimension, yet he remains close to us, inspiring our actions, supporting us in our fragility. 

Our vision may be so limited but God knows where he is going and where he is taking us. The life of the Church seems characterised by the failures of its members, the body, but the head rules supreme in heaven, united to the Father and guiding all to his glory.

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