12 May 2024 Mark 16:15-20

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Please read the passage before the homily.

The Lord Jesus ascended in heaven.  This is a necessary step in the complete glorification of Jesus.  This is part of the paschal mystery.  Jesus died.  Jesus was buried.  Jesus rose from the dead.  Jesus ascended into heaven.  Jesus sent the Holy Spirit upon the Church.  Jesus now lives in glory.

We can document these steps: Good Friday; Easter Sunday; Ascension; Pentecost.  In John’s account, the resurrection, ascension and the coming of the Spirit all happened on Easter Sunday.  In Luke’s arrangement, these all took place over a period of fifty days.  Which is correct?  Both are, because we are dealing with mystery, not newscast.  Even if it all happened on Easter Sunday, we would still have to celebrate it for at least fifty days because of the magnitude and richness of the mystery we are celebrating.

Today we are celebrating the Ascension of the Lord.  The mystery is this, that the Lord has ascended into heaven, yet he remains with us on earth.  The Lord Jesus was taken up into heaven, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.”  The Lord is in heaven, but he has kept his home on earth.   He stays in heaven, and he has a home on earth.  He has a home on the Riviera, and he has another home on the other Riviera.  He stays in heaven while he also stays on earth.

This is part of the Paschal Mystery.  The Lord, present in heaven, is also present in his Church.  He ascended into heaven to confirm the work he did on earth.  Now, from heaven, he confirms the work we do with signs and wonders. We do not celebrate the Ascension so that we can say farewell to Jesus.  He goes away in order that that he can come back and remain with us.  The Lord is with you and me.  He shall come again to take us into himself, and we shall then understand better how he can be in heaven and on earth at the same time.