“Go Therefore – The World Is Waiting”
Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Let’s picture this: Jesus has just ascended into heaven. The apostles are standing on a hillside, staring up into the clouds and two angels appear and ask them: “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky?” (Acts 1:11)
That question is not just for eleven men on a hillside two thousand years ago. It is for every Catholic in this parish, right now.
We believe. We show up. We love the Lord. But sometimes we are not quite sure what He is asking us to do next. This Sunday, the Church answers that question beautifully.
In Acts 1:1–11, two angels gently but firmly redirect the disciples who are frozen in amazement: “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky?” (v. 11) The message is clear – there is work to be done, and we are the ones to do it. Is there a moment this week- a conversation, a relationship, an opportunity where Christ might be inviting us to take one small step of faith instead of standing still?
In Ephesians 1:17–23, St. Paul prays something stunning over his people and over us. He prays that we would truly grasp the hope we have been called to and recognize the power already at work in us. The same power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him above every authority is alive in us through our Baptism. That is not a small thing. That is everything. How would our week look different if we actually lived that way?
In Matthew 28:16–20, Jesus gathers His disciples – the ones who doubted, the ones who were afraid, the ones who were imperfect and He looks them in the eye and says: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations.” (v. 19) And then, so they would never forget it, He adds: “And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (v. 20) He did not wait for them to have it all together. He never does. He is asking us right now, as we are – to go. Who is one person already in our lives who needs to encounter the love of Christ and what is the most natural, loving way we can be that bridge for them this week?
THIS IS OUR MOMENT TOO
Here is what strikes me about this feast: the Ascension is not the end of the story. It is the beginning of ours. Jesus does not ascend to disappear. He ascends to reign in us, over everything, on our behalf. And in doing so, He hands the mission to us. To this parish. To the people sitting in these pews. To each one of us reading this right now.
We do not need a theology degree. We do not need to have all the answers. We just need to be willing to go where He sends us and trust that He meant it when He said He would be with us always. The mission field is not far away. It is our neighborhood, our workplace, our family dinner table. The people who need to encounter the living Christ are already in our lives. They are waiting even if they do not know it yet.
A WORD FOR THE MONTH OF MAY
Scripture tells us Blessed Virgin Mary was right there in the upper room: “All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with…Mary the mother of Jesus” (Acts 1:14). She did not stand frozen staring at the sky. She gathered, she prayed, and she pointed every soul in that room back to her Son, just as she does for us today.
This is May, a month dedicated to her, and there is no better response to the mission of Ascension Sunday than to pick up the Rosary. The Glorious Mysteries walk us through the very events we celebrate this Sunday: the Resurrection, the Ascension, and the descent of the Holy Spirit. Let us pray the Rosary this month. Write down the name of someone who needs to experience the love of Christ and bring them to Our Lady. She has never stopped doing what she did at Cana, pointing to Jesus and saying: “Do whatever He tells you” (John 2:5). She will not disappoint.
Next Sunday the Church celebrates the gift of the Holy Spirit, Pentecost – her very birthday. Let us go to Confession this week if we have not recently. Come open. Come expectant. And let us invite someone to join us. There is always room in this family.
“And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20