TODAY is Ascension Sunday. We commemorate that glorious day when Jesus, after completing his mission on earth, was taken up to heaven, and took his seat at the right hand of God. Accounts of this momentous event are recorded in the Bible, specifically in Mark 16:19-20, Luke 24:50-53, and Acts 1:6-12.
In ascending to heaven, Jesus returns to where he was from the beginning – before anything was ever made or created. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God” (John 1:1-2). At the fullness of time, “the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us” (John 1:14), and this Word, as we know, is no other than our Lord Jesus Christ himself.
As Christians we are called to live in the pattern of Christ. Just as he lived in obedience to the Father, so must we. Just as he died and resurrected from the dead, so shall we. And just as he was lifted up to heaven, so shall we be. This is our Christian hope, and this is our Christian calling – to be saints.
Life on earth is a complex journey. We experience the good and the bad, ups and downs, successes and failures. Ascension reminds us that all of these things are temporary. Earth is not our permanent home; heaven is. “For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the one that is to come” (Hebrews 13:14).
The many cares and concerns in this life, even its comforts and discomforts, should not blind us to the reality of the pilgrim nature of our temporal existence. Thus, as we strive to do our best for our present and immediate future, we should not lose sight of our eternity. “For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36).
The pilgrimage to heaven is not as easy as the journey to hell. Jesus tells us, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few” (Matthew 7:13-14). Nevertheless, we can hold on to God’s promises. “What is impossible for human beings is possible with God” (Luke 18:27).
God taught us that there is only one way to salvation. In John 14:6 we hear Jesus saying, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” St. Peter affirms this, declaring, “There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved” (Acts 4:12).
We can become saints only with the help of God. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). Genuine faith is demonstrated by good works. “For just as a body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead” (James 2:26).
This Ascension Sunday, may we be reminded of our true identity and mission as children of God and believers of Jesus Christ. “Just as it is appointed that human beings die once, and after this the judgment, so also Christ, offered once to take away the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to take away sin but to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him” (Hebrews 9:27-28).
Someday, Jesus who ascended into heaven, will come again for the ascension of his own children. “For the Lord himself, with a word of command, with the voice of an archangel and with the trumpet of God, will come down from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Thus, we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).
Something to look forward to. Have a Blessed Ascension Sunday, everyone.