“Christ ascends to Heaven and sends us to transform the earth.”
Today’s liturgical texts invite us to contemplate the mystery of Christ glorified, conqueror of death, who opens the path to heaven for humanity.
In the first reading, the Ascension is described as both a visible and mysterious event: Jesus ascends before the eyes of the Apostles, marking the end of His physical presence on earth. He does not abandon His own; He inaugurates a new, more intimate and universal mode of presence. For the psalmist, God “ascends amid acclamations.” It is a hymn of victory proclaiming Christ’s kingship—no longer limited to Israel but extended to all nations. The Ascension is thus a feast of hope: heaven is no longer inaccessible, for the Son of God has opened its gates.
This hope is deepened in the second reading, where the author of Hebrews presents Christ as the High Priest entering the heavenly sanctuary. His unique sacrifice gives us “full assurance” to approach God, purified and renewed.
In the Gospel, after opening His disciples’ minds to Scripture, Jesus blesses them and commissions them as witnesses before ascending. The separation becomes an anticipation of a deeper presence. Through the Ascension, we understand that Christian life is stretched between two poles: contemplation of the glorified Christ and concrete engagement in the world as we await His return. Thus, the Ascension is both a celebration of hope and a call to mission. The glorified Christ draws us to the Father and sends us forth to proclaim His Kingdom, empowered by His mysterious yet real presence.
On this day, the Church reminds us that heaven is our homeland and that our earthly journey is already illumined by the light of the Resurrection.
Sr Regina Emeline ABITAN
Community of Nylon – Cameroon
