Introduction: Go! What Are You Waiting For?
We are doubly blessed this weekend by two beautiful Scripture passages—one from Luke, the other from Matthew—to remember and celebrate Jesus’ ascension to His Father. Briefly, Luke was a Greek who wrote for the Gentiles and strongly emphasized universal salvation: that Jesus’ salvation, mercy, forgiveness is available to everyone, not just the Jewish people. “All flesh shall see the salvation of God.” (Luke 3:6). This was a real shocker at that time! Jesus is the Gate and opens for all who seek Him. All. No conditions! We see this clearly in Jesus’ command to the apostles as he ascended to heaven: “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the world.” Today, you and I are still discerning how and where to proclaim Jesus’ message and values to the end of our contemporary world family.
Questions: Where is your “end of the world” family? How inclusive are you? Are you bold enough to cross cultural/racial/ religious barriers?
In our Gospel passage, Matthew offers a different slant. From his rich Jewish background, he used his audience’s Hebrew background to explain Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. Jesus emerges as the New Moses who leads them from exile to the safety of God’s home. And like Moses, Jesus instructs and commands his disciples from the mountain top! “The eleven (Judas no longer was with them) disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them.” But unlike Moses, he speaks to his followers from the mountain top by his own divine authority.
Questions: Remember a “mountain top” spiritual experience. Picture it. Feel it. Did you hear in the silence and beauty the voice of Jesus? Was he inviting (commanding) you to a new calling? Something new? Did that excite you? Frighten you?
I would invite you to take time to read and ponder the words from both readings for this feast day:
Luke 1:1-11 (Acts of Apostles) Matthew 28:16-20
What word or words caught your attention? (Slowly mull over the words.)
What in these passages comforted you?
What in these passages challenged you?
Do you believe the conclusion of Matthew’s Gospel: “I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Even during times of polarization and discord?)
Further Reflections on the Two Readings:
“Men of Galilee, why are you standing there – looking at the sky?” In other words, what are you waiting for? The meaning of this beautiful feast is very simple. Do not stay too long on the mountain top. Do not spend all your time gazing at the stars, living in the past or dreaming about your future. Look, instead, at what lies before you. Get ready. On your mark. Get set. And go!
Are we like the disciples, staring at the heavens, when there is work to do here on earth? Jesus’ command is blunt. One word: Go! So direct. So clear. Our family, neighborhood, county, country, world is waiting. Act on what I have taught you, Jesus said. Put it into practice. The apostles left the mountain top, went into the city, and launched the greatest missionary undertaking in human history! And they were “just” simple fishermen! (smile)
What about you and me in 2026? What are we to do with that divine command: Go!
Go – and transform the world with your faith, your skills, your talents, and even with your dreams.
Go – and pick up those who have fallen.
Go – and heal those who are hurting.
Go – and love those who have been forgotten.
Or – as the dismissal puts it at the end of Mass: “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord with your life!”
Ascension is not a noun; it’s a verb.
Deacon David
