‘I am with you always!’
As Christ ascends to heaven, he commissions us to be his living message of hope, love, and compassion in a world crying out for healing. Christ is the head of the Church and we are the body, filled with his wisdom and power to transform all creation (Second Reading).
We are not left to struggle on our own. The risen Christ fills us with his Holy Spirit so that we who believe are his witnesses to the ends of the earth (First Reading).
Jesus’s disciples do not dwell on their loss at his departing from their sight, but are instead full of joy at the realisation that he is now with them forever (Gospel).
The Psalm, using words, songs and actions of joy and exultation, brings us to the heart of the event we celebrate today.
The readings and liturgy for this wonderful feast day invite us all to share in the amazement of those first disciples of Jesus, so that we, too, can become like them – joyful followers of Christ. As Pilgrims of Hope in this Jubilee year, we pray to share in the amazement of those first disciples of Jesus, that we, too, might become joyful followers of Christ.
