2015/05/10 — Ascension Thursday

In many places, the celebration of the Ascension of the Lord is transferred to the following Sunday. Where I live, however, it is still observed on the Thursday of the 6th Week of Eastertide.

The Lectionary provides two options for the second reading: Ephesians 1:17-23 or Ephesians 4:1-13. I'll consider both.


There are two themes in today's readings: Jesus' ascension to heaven, and the duty of the Church and Christians from then until his return.


The first reading — Acts 1: 1-11 — gives us Luke's account of the ascension, preceded by a synopsis of the period between the resurrection and the ascension. So the first point is a reaffirmation of the reality of Jesus' bodily resurrection. There is also an indication that at some point Israel's kingdom will be restored, but not yet. Meanwhile, the apostles will receive the Holy Spirit, who will empower them to witness to him throughout the world. They see him ascend, and then two angels indicate that they should stop looking up in the sky for now, while reassuring them that he will return. Now they must wait for the Spirit (who will come at Pentecost) and then fulfill their duty of being witnesses.


Ephesians 1:17-23 focuses on the role of the Holy Spirit in confirming our faith and our understanding of Jesus' resurrection and his return to the Father. Now Jesus is Lord of all, including the Church, which is his body. In other words, the Church takes the place of Jesus in being physically present in the world.

Ephesians 4:1-13 also speaks of Jesus' ascension to heavenly majesty but it speaks as well of the place of Christians in the present age. In the first place, we are to live in unity and peace with one another. We have different roles, however; roles which God gives to specific individuals. But whatever specific calling an individual has, it is to be exercised for the building up of the body of Christ.


The gospel — Mark 16:15-20 — gives Jesus' commission to the Church to proclaim the gospel to the whole world. The condemnation of those who do not believe comes in the context of the proclamation of the gospel. It is not spoken in relation to people to whom the gospel has not been proclaimed. The signs that accompany believers as they witness evidently do not occur universally. If they do happen in particular instances, they confirm the message that is preached. Mark tells briefly of the ascension and then briefly of the disciples fulfillment of the commission Jesus had given them.


The Church, then is called to witness to Christ everywhere. Every Christian has a part in fulfilling this calling. There is a certain "fulness" which will be achieved before it will be time for Jesus to return and bring all to completion, and we all participate in achieving it.

Beyond these points in the scriptures of the day, teachers also make the points that what happened to Jesus as a human being is also possible for other humans. In other words, as they say: where he has gone, we hope to follow.