The Ascension of the Lord

Christ ascends not to abandon us, but to reign, intercede, and send His Church forth in the power of the Holy Spirit. Theme: Christ reigns in glory and sends us on mission. Today's liturgy draws us into the mystery of the Ascension, where Christ, having completed His earthly mission, returns to the Father not to abandon us, but to reign and empower His Church. In Acts, Jesus remains with the apostles after His Resurrection, teaching them about the Kingdom and promising the Holy Spirit. His Ascension marks a transition: He entrusts His mission to the apostles, reveals that salvation is to reach the ends of the earth, and enters into the glory of God. Psalm 47 celebrates God as universal King: God mounts His throne to shouts of joy. In the Ascension, this becomes fully realized. Christ is enthroned at the right hand of the Father, heaven rejoices at His victory, and His kingship extends over all nations. In Ephesians, Saint Paul opens our spiritual vision. Christ is seated far above every power, all things are placed beneath His feet, and He is Head of the Church, His Body. The Ascended Christ is still intimately united to us; the Church lives under His authority and shares in His life. In the Gospel, Jesus gives the Great Commission: go and make disciples of all nations, baptize in the name of the Trinity, and teach all He has commanded. Most importantly, He promises, I am with you always, until the end of the age. Together, the readings reveal one mystery: Christ ascends to reign, to intercede, and to send us forth. Though He ascends, He remains present in the Eucharist, in His Word, and in His Church. The Ascension is not only about looking upward; it is about moving outward. Like the apostles, we may be tempted to stand looking at the sky. But the angels challenge us not to remain passive. Go. Witness. Evangelize. Christ entrusts His mission to you. At the Offering, unite your life to Christ's mission. At the Consecration, adore Christ, truly present, who reigns in heaven. At Communion, receive the One who sends you forth. A practical step for holiness today: share your faith with someone, offer a word of encouragement rooted in Christ, pray for the courage to be a witness, or live one ordinary duty as someone sent by Christ. Liturgical insight: the Catechism teaches that the Eucharist is the sum and summary of our faith. At every Mass, we are united to the same Christ who ascended into heaven. The liturgy is a participation in the heavenly reality where Christ reigns. Today, the Church commemorates Saint Paschal Baylon, a humble Franciscan lay brother from Spain known for his deep love of the Holy Eucharist. Born into poverty, he worked as a shepherd before entering religious life. Though uneducated, he possessed profound spiritual wisdom and spent long hours in Eucharistic adoration. Saint Paschal lived the Ascension readings in hidden fidelity. He witnessed to Christ through ordinary duties, humility, charity, and love for the Eucharist. He shows us that mission begins in ordinary life. He adored Christ present in the Eucharist as the reigning King. His joy flowed from knowing that Jesus is alive and glorified. He submitted obediently to the Church and lived union with Christ through humble love. Saint Paschal reminds us that Christ remains with us, especially in the Blessed Sacrament, and sends us through our daily lives. You do not need extraordinary works to live the Ascension. Be faithful in small things, stay close to Jesus in the Eucharist, and let your life quietly witness to Christ. Closing encouragement: Christ is not distant. He reigns, intercedes, and lives within His Church. Do not remain looking upward. Go forth with courage. He is with you always. Lord Jesus, ascended in glory, I offer You this day: my thoughts, words, and actions. Use me as Your witness to bring Your truth and love to others. Saint Paschal Baylon, lover of the Eucharist and humble servant of Christ, pray for us that we may adore Jesus with pure hearts, live faithfully in our daily duties, and become true witnesses of His presence in the world. Amen. Where am I tempted to remain passive instead of witnessing to Christ? How can I live one ordinary duty today as someone sent by the Ascended Lord? What does Saint Paschal Baylon teach me about hidden fidelity and Eucharistic love? First Reading Acts 1:1-11 Responsorial Psalm Psalm 47 Second Reading Ephesians 1:17-23 Gospel Matthew 28:16-20