One of the amazing things about the way we celebrate the key mysteries of our faith is that we don’t just celebrate it for a day, but we celebrate them in “seasons.” Easter for us is not just the day Christ resurrected from the dead, but it is the
continuous fifty days after the resurrection day, culminating next Sunday with the
Solemnity of the Pentecost. Yes, we are still in Easter! Today, within this season of Easter, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. Traditionally, this Solemnity is celebrated on Thursday of the 6
th Sunday of Easter but, in most of the dioceses in the US just like ours, it is moved to the 7
th Sunday of Easter to ensure greater participation among the faithful and to underscore the theological importance of this solemnity.
The Ascension of the Lord is the formal “return” of Jesus to the Father. The forty days after Christ’s resurrection were really opportunities and avenues for the disciples to clarify their fears, doubts and reaffirm once again their faith in Christ after it was tested and challenged during the Passion and Death of Jesus. The post resurrection appearances and interactions of Jesus with his disciples were meant to prepare them to be “on their own” and to be able to continue what Christ had started with renewed vigor and strength. Even though the disciples might have been sad that Christ would be leaving them again “physically”, it was an important and crucial step for them to grow and mature in their discipleship. It’s about time that they “man up” and step up! Jesus often reminded them not to “cling” to him because he needed to go away and return to the Father. Christ recognized the need for them to let go of his physical presence so that they would be able to realize the full potentials of their call. This is true even in the dynamics of human relationships. Just remember the first time you had to leave your son or daughter in their dorms as they began college. There was probably fear, and there was likely that strong feeling of not wanting to let go, but you knew that it was necessary to “leave them behind”, to be on their own so that they could flourish and realize their best potentials so that, when they return to you, they would have already realized the best version of themselves. For those who are suffering from chronic and debilitating sickness, it is normal to fear as to what is next because we have learned to love our humanity and have established significant relationships, but in order for us to experience the “best” that God could offer, we have to pass over from this world to the garden of paradise, where our true flourishing will happen.
As we reflect this weekend on Jesus’ return to the Father, we also remember in a special way our men and women in the Armed Forces who have also returned to God’s bosom as we commemorate Memorial Day. We are profoundly moved and grateful for their incredible and unselfish service to our nation. Let us keep them in our prayers and may their families continue to find consolation in God’s promise of eternal life.