Today we celebrate the Ascension of Jesus.
In the scripture for today’s Mass we hear Luke describe how Jesus is “lifted up” to the heavens (Acts 1:1-11). We also hear Matthew recount for us Jesus’ last words – his assurance that he remains by our side, always (Matthew 28:16-20)
As I sat in Mass today listening to these words, I couldn’t help but think of the mixed emotions that Jesus must have felt as he was ascending from earth to heaven. He surely must have been saddened that he was leaving his Mother and his closest friends. But at the same time Jesus also must have been extremely happy to be returning to His Father where together they would continue that most profound and intimate communion that had existed from all time.
And in some ways it is the same for us. We can get very attached to the things of this earth – our family, our friends, our plans and ambitions, and a whole host of material possessions. At the same time, whether we even know it or not, we yearn for the things of heaven, for the destination that our entire life points to, for the fulfillment of our existence, for eternal life in communion with God.
And of course the time will come for all of us – some sooner than others – when we will move on to the heavenly life that awaits us. We can be sure of this because Jesus tells us so. On this Ascension Day, we are reminded that Jesus went ahead of us to prepare a place for us (John 14:2-3).
But even before our time here on this earth ends, even before God calls us to take that place prepared for us, we can experience heaven simply by doing what Jesus did while he was here on earth – maintaining intimate communion with the Father, and then responding by loving and serving. And of course Jesus tells us that we can only do this through Him – by remaining “attached” to him, by remaining in his love, and by extending that love to others (John 15:9-10). In some regards we “ascend” with Jesus to heaven each and every time we act out of love for God and neighbor. We “ascend” and bring back a bit of heaven to this world, helping to do exactly what Jesus asks of us – to further establish the Kingdom of Heaven right here on earth.
So we keep moving forward, amidst all the “stuff” of this world, but with our eyes fixed on our ultimate destination. And each day, as we “remain” in Jesus, we also ascend with Him, and help make our world a better place by drawing down just a bit of heaven.