Fr. Michael Williams

On this Feast of the Ascension of the Lord, we are celebrating the reality, that the One who came down from heaven, is now returning to heaven. The Son of God came down from heaven to become man and to dwell among us. He came down from heaven on a mission to save humanity from its sins. The Good Shepherd came to look for the lost sheep, laying his life down for the sheep.

But now that the Lord’s mission on earth is accomplished, the Lord ascends to the heights to take his place at the right side of God the Father. He is returning to the place from whence he came. His mission accomplished. The Lord ascends not only as Our Lord, but also as our brother. The Word made flesh, who dwelt amongst us, is taking humanity into the very heart of God. When Jesus ascends into heaven, humanity takes its place at the right hand of God. The place where the Lord ascends is the place where we too are called to ascend one day: “I am going now to prepare a place for you, and after I have gone and prepared you a place, I shall return to take you with me; so that where I am you may be too”(Jn 14).

Although the Lord’s mission can be seen as somewhat accomplished with his Ascension into heaven the Lord has commissioned his followers to go and “make disciples of all nations; baptise 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”. Jesus commissions his disciples to bring the nations into the peace of God’s Kingdom. Many people in many nations have been brought into the Kingdom, but the work must go on. Many people and many nations do not know Christ. When Jesus ascended on high he passed the baton on to his followers. All the disciples of the Lord, and we are included amongst them, are called to help spread the Good News of the Kingdom.

The goal of the Church is to bring all the nations to their Lord. It is especially important that we pray and work to make this nation of ours Christian once again, because at present it isn’t. We all have a part to play in making that a reality as disciples of Christ, knowing that Our Lord and Brother is with us in this task: “I am with you always; yes, to the end of time”.