Solemnity of the Lord’s Ascension

Jesus Living Within

Introduction

-          Where is heaven? It is a question I used to face from children. Some would say it is up pointing towards the sky because as it is written in today’s readings, ‘Jesus was lifted up to heaven’. The answer for this question that I used to share is, Heaven is not exactly a place but a state. It is a mystery to human beings because we are “timelings and spacelings” and we cannot imagine a situation beyond time and space.

-          The relevant question today is not where heaven is, but the significance of the ascension of Jesus in my life.

Body

-          There are two great departure moments faced by the apostles of Jesus, such as

o   Death of Jesus and

o   Ascension of Jesus

-          The apostles faced these two occasions differently.

o   At the first departure, the death of Jesus,

§  The apostles were in fear

§  They were disappointment, losing their hope in Jesus.  

§  They felt they left alone.

§  Some of them went back to engage in their old profession, like Peter and his friends went for fishing.

§  They were dispersed. Eg, two of them went to Emmaus.

o   At the second departure, the ascension of Jesus

§  The apostles were in joy

§  They were hopeful and in expectation

§  They felt the divine presence in them.

§  They never went back to what they left for Jesus.

§  They were united and praying.

-          The change of attitude among the apostles in the second departure was mainly because of their realization that Jesus was living in their hearts.

o   When Jesus was living in this world, he was one among them – (with them).

o   When Jesus was risen and ascended, he was one in them – (living in their heart). Therefore, nobody could take their master from their heart, even the death itself.

o   The conviction that Jesus was living in them was fully realized with the Pentecost experience.

Conclusion

-          Through baptism Christ is born in our heart. The image of Christ is imprinted in our soul by water and Holy Spirit. Let us be aware of this presence at each and every moment of our lives.

-          Jesus gives the command of proclaiming the good news and inviting others to receive baptism. It is a call to tell others that Christ wants to live in their heart and invite them for baptism through which His image will be imprinted in their heart.

-          Let us proclaim the gospel through our words and deeds to our brothers and sisters.