The Ascension is the last aspect of Jesus’ Paschal Mystery (CCC #1067). What is this mystery about? Is it merely about taking a quick elevator ride of grace back to the home of His Father? Today’s reading from Acts argues for something far more profound: Jesus’ Ascension is an act of enthronement; it is a kingly act. Jesus’ Ascension “signifies the inauguration of the Messiah’s Kingdom” and the fulfillment of God’s prophetic promise to raise up a king whose dominion, glory, and kingdom would be without end (CCC #664). Jesus’ Ascension commences his enthronement as Lord over the whole world.
At the Ascension, Jesus commissions his Apostles to be his witnesses “in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” These geographic locations are significant when seen through the lens of the kingdom established by David. The heart of David’s kingdom was Jerusalem, while Judea and Samaria were the locations where the remnant of the 12 tribes of Israel had now settled. Jesus’ command then, is for his Apostles to preach the Gospel, first within the territory of the old kingdom of David – to gather together again the tribes of Israel – and after this, his Apostles needed to share the Gospel “to the ends of the earth.” Jesus’ kingdom was not merely about a return to the status quo of the Davidic reign, rather Jesus’ Ascension begins a new kingly reign, one that will encompass the entire world and never end. In the Ascension, Jesus is enthroned in heaven, and sends out his followers to build up his kingdom.
As Christians today, most of us are the inhabitants of “the ends of the earth” where Jesus directed his followers to go and spread the Gospel. We are also inheritors of the commission that Jesus gave to his Apostles to be his witnesses. Today, on this Feast of Christ’s Ascension into Heaven and the inauguration of his everlasting reign as King and Messiah, let us first pause in gratitude for the twofold gifts of being called into this Kingdom and given the gift of salvation. Secondly, let us ask the Lord to show us where he is calling us to be his witnesses in our world today.