The Heavenly Commission: Reflecting on Acts 1:1-11 and Mark 16:14-20
As we commemorate the solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, our hearts and minds are directed upwards, towards the heavens where Christ ascended to sit at the right hand of the Father. This significant event is not merely a miraculous spectacle, but a profound mystery that holds deep theological and spiritual implications for us, the faithful. Today, let us delve into the readings from Acts 1:1-11 and Mark 16:14-20 to reflect on the message and mission imparted to us through Christ’s glorious Ascension.
Acts 1:1-11 – The Promise of the Holy Spirit
The account of the Ascension in the Acts of the Apostles opens with Luke addressing Theophilus, underscoring the continuity of Jesus’ work through the Holy Spirit. Before His Ascension, Jesus promises the disciples that they will be “baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days hence” (Acts 1:5). This promise is crucial; it is not the end of Christ’s work on earth but a transition to His mystical presence in the Church through the Spirit.
As they gaze into the sky at the ascending Jesus, the disciples are gently rebuked by two angels. This moment is pivotal: they are told not to keep looking upwards but to prepare for the mission ahead. The angels’ message, “This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11), is not just a reassurance of Christ’s Second Coming but a call to action. The disciples are to bear witness to Jesus, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and their mission will span “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
Mark 16:14-20 – The Great Commission
In the Gospel of Mark, the narrative complements the message in Acts. After His resurrection, Jesus appears to the Eleven and reproaches their unbelief and hardness of heart because they had not believed those who saw Him after He had risen. It’s a moment of correction but also of compassion: Jesus is preparing them for the missionary work ahead.
He then gives them the Great Commission: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15). This directive sets the stage for a universal mission, transcending all barriers of nationality, race, and status. The signs accompanying the believers—as they cast out demons, speak new tongues, and heal the sick—are signs of the new Kingdom age, marked by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.
The Ascension and Our Christian Life
The Ascension, therefore, is not about the absence of Christ but about His omnipresent power working through us, His Church. It is a transition from His physical presence to His dynamic spiritual presence in all believers. This mystery invites us to lift our hearts to Heaven and also to embrace our missionary calling with renewed zeal.
As we reflect on these scriptures during the feast of the Ascension, let us remember that our faith is not passive; it is active and engaging, empowered by the Holy Spirit to bring the message of salvation to all corners of the world. We are called to be witnesses of Jesus’ love and resurrection power, living out our faith with boldness and confidence.
In embracing our own call to witness, let us continually seek the strength and guidance of the Holy Spirit, remembering Jesus’ promise and His command. May our lives be a testament to the hope of His glorious return, as we work diligently in His vineyard, awaiting the day we too will ascend in glory.
Conclusion
As we journey onward from this feast, may our hearts be ever joyful, our minds ever thoughtful, and our spirits ever courageous in proclaiming the risen Christ. Let the Ascension not only remind us of Christ’s heavenly glory but also inspire us in our earthly mission.