Homily For Thursday Sixth Week of Eastertide Year B, The Solemnity of Ascension,13th May, 2024

 

Readings: Acts1:1-11; Ps. 47; Eph. 4:1-13; Mark 16:15-20

Fr. Emmanuel Emenike  Onyia.

ASCENSION OF THE LORD A CONFIRMATION OF THE REALITY OF HEAVEN 

Today we celebrate the solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. This solemnity reminds us of that great moment of hope when the Lord triumphs victoriously and is 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. 

We can recall that the Joy of the risen Lord had filled the hearts of his disciples as they experienced his physical presence for the past forty days after his death and resurrection. So on the occasion of today’s solemnity, the Lord Jesus in the presence of his disciples was physically ascended into heaven as they watched him taken away in the cloud, to return to his heavenly Throne, triumphant and victorious. 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 testify about it on their missions and pass it down as a true hope for humanity. But this does not mean that the Lord has abandoned or left his disciples, rather he has gone to fulfil 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 this world conditioned by a life of corruption and death, as he now belongs entirely to God as the eternal Son, who has purified the filthiness of humanity and raised us into God’s presence by taking with him 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 this great joy and hope that we celebrate today. An event that shows that humanity has been introduced into the very life of God. 

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 while they looked on, and a cloud took him from their sight.’ 

While in the Gospel passage, Jesus instructed his disciples saying; Go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; he who does not believe will be condemned. As they preached everywhere, the Lord worked with them and confirmed their words with great signs that accompanied them. 

In addition, St Paul in the second reading says: ‘he ascended’, what can it mean if not that he descended right down to the lower regions of the earth? The one who rose higher than all the heavens to fulfil all things is none other than the one who descended. And to some, his gift was that they should be apostles; to some, prophets; to some, evangelists; to some, pastors and teachers; so that the saints together make a unity in the work of service, building up the body of Christ. And so come to unity in our faith and our knowledge of the Son of God, until we become the perfect Man, fully mature with the fullness of Christ himself. 

Dear friends, 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 fulfils 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 in 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 share in the very Life of the Trinity. The hope is 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 believe, which as disciples, we are called to bear witness to the world. 

Therefore, let us share this great hope with 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 this 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 andn the world at large. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen. Peace be with you.