Mark 16: 15-20
The Word: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051621-Ascension.cfm
I do love good movies and plays. In order for all to come together, to convey the moral of the story, to be sure the key players are performing as scripted and with enough convincing emotion, and to make the right impact on the audience, it’s what happens on the other side of the camera or behind the scenes on stage that really makes all the difference to success. In other words, you need a good director. The one who watches the action, knows in their mind what the point of the story is and moves actors and scenes around to make the most lasting impact.
But, as skilled as actors are to embrace the character
they portray and as thrilling as our scenes may be, it’s all pretend. Remember how realistic an effort was made
with the famed television series “Downton Abbey” and you have a very good
example of something so convincing as to seem real. The story line and the eventual effect of the
movie or play is the final point. While it may be based on a true story, it
isn’t the story as it actually happened but more of a characterization
perhaps.
What is remembered this Sunday is anything but fictional
as we celebrate a turning point in the Easter season and the earthly ministry
of Jesus as the Ascension of the Lord is recalled. Our first reading from Acts relates the
event: “When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up and a
cloud took him from their sight . .
.” Then the angel appeared and
asked them: “Why are you standing there looking at the sky?” Our Gospel passage
from Mark, states the same: “So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke with them,
was taken up into heaven . . .”Isn’t this how we often imagine this moment to
be. Jesus was literally lifted off the
ground in his risen body into the sky above?
The scene would certainly make a stunning effect: after assuring his disciples the Lord Jesus
suddenly lifts off the ground, disappears into the clouds above in a ray of
sunlight, angels appear as the Apostles stand staring into the sky above. The
risen Lord leaves the company of his Apostles after the glory of the
resurrection and commissions them to begin the mission of the Church.
When Jesus gathered with his disciples for his final communication, he urged them: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature . . .” A tall order indeed! So our Lord proclaims and passes on his mission to those who would follow and represent him. “Go” everywhere and tell all humanity what God has done in and through Jesus of Nazareth, his only Son that all are saved and mercy and forgiveness is offered to everyone, everywhere who believe in his name. This is the great "Kerygma" the heart of the Gospel which the Church preaches for all time. So from the realm of eternity, that may be closer than we imagine, Jesus carries on his mission through his Church down here with the assurance that he will remain with us always.
Despite this literal image, as Bishop Robert Barron
notes, the Bible implies otherwise. Our
passage from Mark’s gospel ends: “But
they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them.” The implication is clear from this. Our reading from Acts urges the disciples to
return to Jerusalem, pray and wait for, “. . . power when the Holy Spirit comes
upon you” and then, “. . . you will be my witnesses.”
The implication is that Jesus has not left this earth.
Though the Lord Jesus is not visible in his risen body, he remains very much in
control and involved from his heavenly place as he works in and through his
Church. While we aren’t puppets whose strings are pulled willy-nilly by the
divine puppeteer, Christ lives in his Church and directs mysteriously through
the constant presence of his Spirit. This director enters the action as he
himself becomes the message. As Mark tells us: "He worked with them . . ." His real
Eucharistic presence is the ultimate living encounter with us that convinces us
he is anything but passive and uncaring. It embodies his mission.
We have heard in the Easter season that the core of that
Christian mission is the command of forgiveness and love. He gave it to his disciples
at the Last Supper in the washing of feet, he lived it out, he offered it under
bread and wine, and he remains involved with his disciple as witnesses and with
each of us who share in that mission. To
embrace and live fully the truth that we are loved by a merciful God moves us
to extend that same fellowship Charity (Agape) for others. Through that mission of forgiveness, mercy
and love God’s kingdom is established and his will is done here on earth. We await its fulfillment in the salvation of
Heaven. As Christ reigns in glory we carry on his mission as he directs the
movement of time.
Finally, is there any proof that he is truly under
control in spite of our sin and failings, our messing up at times, our pride
and arrogance? Well, after two thousand
year of a roller coaster ride through history in the face of scandals,
corruption, plagues and mismanagement, were still here! The Church will last the test of time with
sinners and saints from one generation to the next.
God is present among us in the here and the now. Christ is very much in control as his Spirit
breaths life constantly upon his Church guarding and directing it. But we must
love as we are loved, forgive as we are forgiven, and serve as Christ has
served us.
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Mediator between God and man,
judge of the world and Lord of hosts,
he ascended, not to distance himself from
our lowly state but that we,
his members, might be confident
of following where he, our Head and Founder,
has gone before.
(From Preface for Ascension)
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