Homily for the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord

As we celebrate today, the Solemnity of our Lord’s Ascension into Heaven, we might wonder why this event ever took place. Would it not have been better for Jesus to stay around, continue to preach, work wonders, and heal the brokenhearted? Would it not have been better for us if He had stayed, led the Church, and conducted all the business of saving souls?

We might think things would be better if Jesus had stayed around, but this was not a part of God’s plan. Part of that plan was to give us the freedom to follow Him. Part of God’s plan was that we might become the presence of Jesus on earth as we continue His work and help one another to experience God's love and presence in our lives. Were Jesus to remain, the dignity of our mission would have been diminished. And we must remember that Jesus’ ministry was primarily tasked with preparing us to take up our crosses and follow in His footsteps.

For whatever reason, God wants our cooperation; God wants us to play an active and free role in bringing His Kingdom to earth. Our contribution to God’s plan is not some nice addition; it is indispensable, and it is something that God planned from the beginning of time.

And so, while we might question why the Ascension happened, we celebrate it because it completes the Resurrection. Jesus rose from the dead and has now entered upon His eternal glory. He has returned to God the Father and yet remains with us in God’s Spirit, in our celebration of the Eucharist — He is in our midst whenever we gather to pray together or whenever we reach out to others in charity, compassion, and love.

We also celebrate this Solemnity for what it says about ourselves — that ours is a great dignity and responsibility: to carry on the work of Jesus Christ. God depends on us. The Solemnity of the Ascension reminds us that we have work to do; the work Jesus started and left to us to complete.