Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord
It must have been amazing to have been in the presence of Jesus and seen all the things that He did – all the miraculous healings, raising Lazarus from the dead, and then His ascension into heaven (Acts 1:1-11). It’s no wonder the disciples were standing there looking up into the sky, most likely with expressions of awe on their faces and their mouths wide open. To the angels who suddenly appeared to them, it was probably no big deal. The angels said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky?” I think all of us would have reacted the same way that the disciples did. We would be standing there looking at the sky.
The first-century Jews would have caught the connection between Jesus being raised up on a cloud and what had happened in past events in Jewish history. They would have remembered the stories about Moses and his encounters with God in the desert. Whenever Moses would meet with God, God would descend in a cloud. The Israelites could not see God because He was hidden in the cloud. However, they knew that God was there. When they saw Jesus being taken up on a cloud, they would have made this association and been given further proof that Jesus was God – God the Son.
The angels not only said, “Why are you looking at the sky?” but also said, “This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way you have seen him going into heaven.” This last statement has a lot of meaning. First, Jesus will return, but we don’t know when that will happen. Second, the disciples shouldn’t stand there waiting for Jesus to return. Third, the disciples were being encouraged to get to work! Spread the Gospel, and tell others about what you have seen and experienced. Go out to all nations and teach them about Jesus.
In other words, because you have much to do, get busy and don’t waste your time looking up into the sky wondering when Jesus will come back again. Human nature being what it is, some people would be tempted not to do anything, thinking that they didn’t have to because Jesus would come at any moment to take them to heaven. The attitude of some might be, “Why work if we don’t have to.” We still struggle with some people having that attitude today, don’t we? This is what the angels were trying to prevent from happening.
The Gospel would not have spread to other nations, nor would the Church have grown unless the disciples of Jesus got busy and shared the Good News with others. The Church grew rapidly in those first few decades. Thousands upon thousands of people were converted and gave their lives to Jesus. The Gospel was spread throughout Gentile countries and began to be accepted by the Gentiles. God is good and holy, and because there have been many good and holy men and women who have cooperated with God’s grace, there has been much good accomplished in the last 2000 years. God is still doing good things today because there are many men and women who are busy cooperating with God’s grace and helping to build up God’s kingdom.
St. Paul talked about this, which we heard in the second reading (Eph 4:1-13). God has given people different gifts “to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” Who are the holy ones being equipped for the ministry that St. Paul is talking about? Is it just priests and religious men and women? Yes and no. It’s all of you too! All of you are the holy ones that St. Paul is talking about! By baptism, we are made one with Jesus, who is the Holy One. Through our baptism, we are made holy too. Baptism washes away all sin, and we are made a new creation to be holy like Jesus. God has also given us certain gifts that are meant to be used for His glory – not ours – so that others today will be amazed at the good things that God will accomplish through us. All glory and praise to God!
Despite the challenges that we are facing, it is time for us to get busy with the work that God has given us to do. No matter what our age is. No matter whether the work that God has given us to do is great or small, we are asked to get busy. The statement from our first reading, “Why are you standing there looking at the sky,” could easily be changed today to say, “Why are you spending so much time looking at your cell phone? Or your computer? Or your big-screen TV? The time is short; there is much work to do.” If you are not physically able to do much anymore, then get busy praying for others. There are millions of people in the world who need our prayers for the salvation of their souls.
Many of our young people will be receiving the sacrament of Confirmation later this week. On Friday, May 17th, Bishop Schuster will be here to administer the sacrament. He will be praying for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon those who will receive the sacrament. God will be strengthening the gifts that He has given to them in baptism. This strengthening by the Holy Spirit will give them what they need to be faithful witnesses of Christ in the world. All of us who have received the sacrament of Confirmation have been given the same gifts of the Holy Spirit to be faithful disciples and to be Christ’s witnesses in the world. We are called to build up the Body of Christ and the Kingdom of God.
“Men of Galilee,” as we heard. We could also say, “Men and women of Lacey and the surrounding areas, what are you waiting for?” God wants us to get busy. He fortifies us with the Eucharist. He sends us out to make a difference in the world. He tells us to get to work. Souls are at stake. God doesn’t want to lose any souls, including our own, because of spiritual laziness or complacency. We shouldn’t be afraid. Jesus is with us. We are strong because of this. God will help us win the battle and lead us to the salvation of our souls. So, stop looking at the sky and wondering when Jesus will return! Get busy and proclaim the Gospel!
Fr. Tim Ilgen
