Ascension: Our Destiny, Our Hope, Our Dignity!
Sunday Mass Readings
I had much trouble trying to find a starting point for my homily. so in the midst of my insane schedule I made time to watch, not one, but two movies hoping to get a starting point for my homily: Spiderman III and Shrek III. Pardon me if you liked them but I personally think they were a little too ‘hokey.’ However, in both these movies, one can see the redemption story unfold. In Spiderman, particularly, this is more evident. Peter Parker goes through the process of discovering his evil side. But he also rediscovers his “real” self. It is the choice he makes that heals and restores him. Spiderman does make the choice to go on “holy ground,” and rid himself of evil. It is the change in him that makes Harry, his arch enemy make the choice to turn his life around.
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension. I began writing this homily by asking myself, what significance does the ascension of Jesus hold for me? What can it mean for us today? I think redemption, the power to make choices, discovering our real selves; these are the themes that emerge from today’s readings. So here are three points that makes sense to me about the ascension.
a) First, the ascension of Jesus reveals our destiny. The ascension of Jesus is important because it completes the redemption story. Jesus not only came from God but also returned back to God. If human life is to be modeled around the life of Jesus, then ascension becomes the final link in the chain of redemption. For us, that means that we now know not only where we come from but also where we are going. The implication from this is that we know our destiny. That leaves us with the time between our coming and our going. In this context, our life on earth assumes so much significance. The choices we make assume so much significance. Our model for making those choices is Jesus. That is the ideal Jesus set for us. To strive to get the closest we can to these ideals is to prepare ourselves for our destiny – our life with God.
b) Second, ascension gives us hope. Let me read for you the prayer that St. Paul makes for the Ephesians in today’s second reading. “May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him? May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call….” St. Paul is asking for two things for the Ephesians: the knowledge of God and the hope of his call. I was talking to my mother yesterday. I have been a little spiritually a discouraged lately because we are praying for my brother’s conversion and there seems to be no progress. Mom immediately took exception and said, “Never give up hope. There is nothing God can’t do even till the last moment.” I wanted to tell mom at that time, “Mom, Hello! I am the priest. You are the mom!” But I know mom was right. Mom never fails to surprise me with her inner strength. When I leave home each time, dad and I are bawling like lunatics. Mom, on the other hand, shows such amazing strength. Now, where does mom get that strength and hope from? I know it is her intimacy with God – her “knowledge of God.” She has the wisdom that comes from her knowledge of God. The eyes of her heart are open. This is Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians and for all of us. The ascension of Jesus and his being at the right hand of God is what gives us that hope.
c) Third, ascension gives us a new dignity. The scene at the end of today’s gospel reading is rather amusing. Jesus has slowly disappeared into the sky. The disciples are standing there… gaping. The angels come and tell them, “Why are you standing there looking at the sky? They are not meant to be gaping stupid people any more. Thus far the disciples were learners –weak, groping, learners. That changed with the ascension. Jesus gave them a new dignity and purpose, “You are witnesses to these things,” he said to them. Now they must be to others what he was to them. Through baptism they would bring God to the masses. They have become partners in the redeeming work of Christ. Human beings have a new dignity. As I said last week, we are earthen vessels, carrying in our bodies the good news of Christ’s death and resurrection.
The gospel reading ends with the words, “They did him homage.” That is exactly where ascension should lead us… to worship. At this Eucharist, let us not stand gaping. Rather, let us move into the most profound and true worship human beings can offer God. Through this Eucharist let us “do him homage.”
