Breaking Open the Word

By James Cavanagh

Ascension Sunday: May 24

Scripture readings:
Acts 1:1-11
Psalm 47:2-9
Ephesians 1:17-23
Mark 16:15-20

Overview:  In both the Gospel and Acts, Luke tells the story of the Ascension, first in Luke 24:50 and then in Acts 1. In the first reading for this Sunday, Luke elaborates the significance of the Ascension by orienting it toward the future. Before ascending to his heavenly throne “amid shouts of joy and trumpet blasts” (Psalm) the Lord commissioned the Apostles and appointed them to be his witnesses “to the ends of the earth.” In the second reading Paul prays that the “eyes of your hearts may be enlightened” so they might know what is the hope that belongs to them. Such hope is grounded in the fact that Christ reigns in heaven, “far above every principality, authority, power and dominion.”  By virtue of his ascension, all earthly powers have become subordinate to Christ. Consequently, those who belong to Christ have hope because their minds are set on the things that are above, “where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God” (Col 3:1-2).  In the Gospel reading, Jesus tells the Apostles to “proclaim the Gospel to every creature.” The primary mission of the Church is evangelization. “Driven by the inner necessity of her own catholicity, and obeying the mandate of her Founder,” Vatican II said, “the Church strives ever to proclaim the Gospel to all men” (“Ad Gentes” 1).

Key verse: “May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call is” (Eph 17:18).

“Catechism of the Catholic Church”: “Left to its own natural powers humanity does not have access to the ‘Father’s house,’ to God’s life and happiness. Only Christ can open to man such access that we, his members, might have confidence that we too shall go where he, our head and our source, has preceded us” (No. 661).

Pope Benedict XVI:  “Faith and understanding help us to see a horizon beyond our own selves in order to imagine life as God does. God’s unconditional love, which gives life to every human individual, points to a meaning and purpose for all human life. It is through the cross that Jesus in fact draws us into eternal life, and in so doing indicates to us the way ahead—the way of hope which guides every step we take along the way, so that we too become bearers of that hope and charity for others” (Address given at the Regina Pacis Center, Amman, Jordon, May 8).