ASCENSION OF THE LORD : Thursday 18th May 2023

The passage in Acts describes Luke writing to Theophilus, his benefactor, explaining that Jesus had prepared the Apostles for their mission by teaching them during His lifetime. Jesus also appeared to them after His Resurrection and showed them signs that He had risen. Also, Jesus instructs His disciples not to waste their time trying to know the times of the end. They should have, instead, focused on the power of the Spirit and used this power to give witness to Jesus till the ends of the earth. Then, Luke mentions that the disciples saw Jesus lifted up to heaven.

The Gospel passage summarises Jesus’ commission to the disciples before His Ascension into heaven. Firstly, that supreme and universal authority has been given to Jesus by His heavenly Father. Therefore, Jesus far surpasses every other human being and deserves all the exalted titles given to Him. Secondly, the disciples are to share their discipleship with all people and to hand on Jesus’ teaching to them. Thirdly, Jesus promises His continuing presence with the present and future disciples in the Holy Spirit, who will guide and protect the Church until the end.

In the letter to the Ephesians, Saint Paul points out that God raised Jesus from the dead and seated Him at God’s right hand in heaven. Therefore, now Christ reigns over all the cosmic forces and has a name exalted above all others. God has placed all things in Christ’s control and made Him the head of the Church, His body.

Lord, may I praise Your name above all other names.