THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD

THOUGH CHRIST ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN, HE IS EVER PRESENT WITH US

Some people believe that life ends here on earth. For them there is no after life. They advocated that since there is no after life people should eat and drink and make merry. For them the future of human life is empty and meaningless. Human life is not hopeless or meaningless. Human life is not empty or nothingness. Life on earth is connected to life in heaven. Life never end, it continues. The Ascension of Christ teaches us that human life does not end here on earth. We are in transition. For those who believe and live a life of righteousness they shall be transformed to live with Christ in the glorious splendor of heaven. As Jesus ascended into heaven and the cloud took him away from the view of his disciples. It was like everything was taken away from them. They continued looking up to the sky like those who were abandoned. Suddenly, two angels stood beside them and said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who have being taken from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven”. The angles reminded them that Jesus has not abandoned them. Some people may be looking up to heaven without hope like Jesus disciples. May they be comforted by the words of the angels that heaven will still bestow blessing upon them. Jesus promised his disciples when he was preparing them for his departure that he is going to prepare a place for them. “In my father’s house there are many mansions. I am going to prepare a place for you and I will come and take you, so that where I am you also may be.” The ascension of Christ will bring to fulfillment this promise of Jesus to his disciples, they will always have a place reserved for them in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus already told his disciples that if he do not go the Holy Spirit will not come. Christ must ascend for the Holy Spirit to descend. He will not leave his disciples by themselves. The Spirit of power and courage will be with them to help them do mighty deeds. He will inspire them and teach them divine mystery. The Holy Spirit will reveal to them hidden realities and guide them to bring the light of Christ to many nations. Paul experienced great challenges in the course of his ministry but the hope of the joy that will come gave him courage to be faithful in his ministry. Paul teaches us that the joy and peace in Christ will make us forget the pains and struggles of life. Some people do not have the hope of a joyful future. When there is no hope of joyful future present life becomes meaningless. Our good work and our daily drudgeries become meaningless. The present life is deeply connected with the future life. Paul prayed for the Spirit of wisdom and knowledge for all Christians to perceive the blessings that awaits them in the future. “May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ give you the Spirit of wisdom and knowledge, so that the eyes of your hearts will be enlightened, that you may know the hope that belongs to this call”. That we may know the joy that belong to us who believe in Christ. The riches of the glorious inheritance that belong to us. He prayed that the Holy Spirit will help us understand the great joy that will come to us. Jesus gave the Church and all Christians the power to bear witness in his name. The witness that life is not meaningless and does not end here on earth. The witness that we belong to God and at the end we will go back to God. As we prepare for the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, may the Holy Spirit help us to bear witness to Christ by our life of hope and joy. Though, Christ ascended to heaven he is with us till the end of the age.