Understanding the Word

By Dianne Bergant, C.S.A.

The ascension of Jesus brought closure to his earthly activity, while at the same  time launching the ministry of the apostles. Thus the Ascension is a turning point  in the history of the church. The actual account of the Ascension is brief. Jesus is  lifted up and concealed by a cloud. Attention shifts to the men (angels?) who now  appear. They rebuke the disciples and assure them that Jesus will return on the  clouds just as he left. The church is now in a liminal state. Jesus has left, but the  Spirit has not yet come. 

The reading from Ephesians is a prayer for spiritual enlightenment. God’s  power raised Christ from the dead and seated Christ in the place of honor in  heaven; God’s power made all things subject to Christ and exalted Christ as  head of the church. It is this same power that is now called upon. The church is  characterized as a body. As members of this exalted body, believers share in the  wisdom and insight to grasp these mysteries and to live lives informed by them. 

Marks’ account of Jesus’ ascension ties together many themes found elsewhere  in the gospel. It begins with a Resurrection experience in which Jesus commissions the apostles to preach the gospel to all. Jesus is then taken from their sight.  The reading clearly states that just as he was raised from the dead by the power  of God, so he is taken up today. This reflects the early church’s concern to show  that it is the power of God that is active in Jesus, not some kind of miraculous  force. As exalted Lord, Jesus takes his rightful place of privilege next to God. The  concluding verse succinctly summarizes the entire apostolic age: the apostles  went into the entire world and preached the gospel; the Lord was with them,  confirming their ministry through wondrous signs.

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