Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord - Cycle C

Luke 24:46-53

"You are witnesses of these things” (Luke 24:48)

We celebrate this seventh Sunday in Easter with the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. 

In our Bible Study this week there were many great points of reflection and discussion to explore, but I felt this verse highlighted and echoed throughout the remainder of my week. In reading another reflection on the Ascension, I was drawn to the imagery of the disciples looking up after Jesus, their gaze following his body being taken from sight. The last they would have seen of Him were his wounded feet. 

I love this moment within the context of this verse. 

The disciples were witnesses to the reality of God becoming man; that He who created and cannot be contained by the universe took on human form and walked upon the earth. They were witnesses to their friend who preached hope and worked miracles and walked into the midst of crowds, touching outcasts and bringing them into loving restoration. They were witnesses to the cruelty that pierced these very feet; how He had humbly embraced suffering and torture out of love. These were the feet that walked on water when He reached for Peter who was sinking, overcome with doubt. And these were the feet that brought his resurrected body into the locked room as He spoke, “do not be afraid”. 

The disciples were witnesses to the truth of Who He was, and is, and will always be: God Who loves us intimately to enter into every situation; God Who is victorious over every suffering and death itself; God Who goes ahead of us to intercede on our behalf; God Who does not leave us, but faithfully remains even closer with us through the Holy Spirit.

Today we join the disciples in remembering the unique ways in our lives where we have been witnesses to his entering in, redeeming, and transforming. We too can join in longing for his return and the fullest union with Him.  And we can ask for the grace of fidelity, through the Holy Spirit, remembering He goes ahead of us in every situation in his unending faithfulness to us. We too are witnesses to these things and can take another step in following Him, with trust and with great joy.