Homily For Sixth Week of Easter, Year A, 18th May, 2023. The Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord

Readings: Acts.1:1-11; Ps.47; Eph. 1:17-23;  Matt. 28:16-20

Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

 

WHAT DOES THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD MEANS FOR HUMANITY?

 

Most  people no doubt, have all kinds of questions and reservations about the following words: ‘death, resurrection, Ascension, heaven and hell', they often wonder what and how these realities will be like. I find the answer to these questions in today's solemnity of Ascension. The event which shows the triumph of life over death and good over evil. For the Joy of the risen Lord has filled the hearts of his disciples as they had experienced the physical presence of Jesus for the past forty days after his death and resurrection.

 

So on the occasion of today's solemnity, the Lord Jesus in the present of his disciples was physically ascended into heaven as they watch him taken away in the cloud, to return to his heavenly Throne, triumphant and victoriously. It was a moment of great hope for them as they wished to be with him for eternity. However, they have a mission to accomplish, they are to bear witness to the events and testified about it on their missions and pass it down as a true hope for humanity.

 

Thus, the solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, reminds us, that great moment of hope when the Lord triumph victoriously and no longer physically present among his disciples and followers, as they can no longer directly see him or touch him as they had been during all the while he was physically present with them. But this does not mean that the Lord has abandoned or left his disciples, rather he has gone to fulfill his promise of preparing a place for his faithful disciples, and will also send a great Helper to assist them.

 

Therefore, the feast of the Ascension of the Lord does not mean that Jesus has departed to some place far from people and from the world. Rather it means that he no longer belongs to the world conditioned by the life of corruption and death. For he now belongs entirely to God as the eternal Son, who has purified the filthiness of humanity. He has raised and introduce us once again into the presence and life of God.

 

This he did by ascending into heaven with our flesh and blood in its transfigured form and this is a thing of great hope and joy for all who believe in him. It is these great joy and hope that we celebrate today. An event that shows that humanity has been introduced once again into the very presence and life of God. This is the meaning and symbolic effect of the solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord for humanity.

 

Hence, from the readings of today, we have the details of this great event and the last instructions of Jesus to his disciples. In the first reading, before the Ascension, Jesus said to his disciples: ‘you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and then you will be my witnesses not only in Jerusalem but throughout Judaea and Samaria, and indeed to the ends of the earth. As he said this he was lifted up while they looked on, and a cloud took him from their sight.’

 

While in today's Gospel passage, Jesus instruct his disciples saying; All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations; baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you. And know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.’

 

In addition, St Paul in the second reading, made us to know that the Holy Spirit will enlighten the eyes of our mind so that we can see what hope his call holds for you, what rich glories he has promised the saints will inherit and how infinitely great is the power that he has exercised for us believers.

 

Dear friends, the occasion of the Ascension of the Lord means that humanity have been introduced once again in to the presence and life of God. It is an event that shows an ultimate demonstration of the power of Jesus over death, the inauguration of his reign over heaven and earth as the universal King.

 

Also, the occasion of the Ascension of the Lord is a confirmation of the reality of heaven, which reminds us that God has always been faithful and loving as he fulfills his covenants and promises to humanity. It reminds us of our mission to evangelize the world, to give hope to humanity by letting them know that human hope and life are beyond the boundaries of this passing world.   

 

It reminds us that God will always be with us no matter what we are passing through in this world for he will always provide for us and care for us at all times. Hence, we must have faith in him no matter how challenging and difficult the situation in our lives may be, we must have hope and trust in God that at the end everything will be fine.

 

Let us hold on to the Lord for this occasion is indeed a great time for us to recall the hope that we found in Jesus' triumphant victory over evil, sin and condemnation. Let us celebrate the greatest hope that God has given to humanity by letting us to share in the very Life of the Trinity. The hope that humanity will one day be united body and soul with our Lord and Saviour Jesus. A confirmation of the reality of heaven, for this is the central message of the event of the Ascension that gives great joy and hope to all who believes, which as disciples, we are called to bear witness to the world.

 

Therefore, let us share this great hope to the people of the world by letting the light of Christ in us illuminate the darkness and ignorance in the world. Let us share this hope through our words, actions and deeds. Let our presence bring hope and encouragement, not hatred and division. Let our actions bring healing and succour in hopeless situations. Let our deeds inspire humanity to come to know God and embrace the victory Jesus has won for us.

 

LET US PRAY: Heavenly Father, let this solemnity of the Lord’s Ascension, enkindle in us the passion to love you more dearly and to spread in the world the Joy and hope we have found in Jesus. Let these Joy and hope bring healing, succour, strength and courage that will help us to overcome the ugly and hopeless situations in our lives, families, societies and the world at large. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen. Peace be with you.