Christ goes up above all the heavens to fill the universe.  But he goes up since he first went down to the lowly earth.  Hence, going up means going down.

Luke gives us two accounts of the Ascension:  one is in his gospel; the other in Acts.  Both accounts say that the disciples see Jesus as he is going up to heaven.

In Acts, the disciples look at Jesus while he is going up to heaven.  Yes, there they stand looking up though a cloud has taken him from their sight.  Hence, they are told that he will come back in the same way as they have seen him going up.

That is, those in white robes ask them to wait faithfully for his return and not lose sight of him.  Yet it is not enough that they gaze into heaven.  For their mission is on earth; they are to change the earth so that the Father’s will is done on it as it is in heaven.

So, true disciples wait actively.  They are not with those who do nothing.  Rather, they make disciples of all nations.  So, they do not hide nor block the holy door; they are not an obstacle to those who want to go in as the scribes and the Pharisees were.

And though the disciples doubt and hesitate, they do not fail to believe and to work.  For they do not trust themselves but Jesus.  He is no longer with them as before his death.  But his presence is abiding; time and space and laws of nature do not hinder him.  Hence, disciples look around them to look for his footprints on earth.

Of course, they do not fail to show others how to be free, just, in communion with all and builders of a more human society.

Lord Jesus, you are seated at the Father’s right hand; help us to be down and work on earth like you, so that going up to heaven may be ours also.  Grant, then, that we lighten the sufferings of the poor, take care of their spiritual and temporal needs, help them in all ways.  And make others help them so too (SV.EN XII:77).  Give us also your body to eat and your blood to drink.  Thus, we who are weak, who move between faith and doubt, will receive powerful medicine and food (EG 47).

17 May 2026
Ascension of the Lord (A)
Acts 1, 1-11; Eph 1, 17-23; Mt 28, 16-20