Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Lk 24:46-53
May 29, 2022 | Sunday

Today’s Gospel

“So it was written: the Messiah had to suffer, and on the third day rise from the dead. Then repentance and forgiveness in his name would be proclaimed to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. And that is why I will send you what my Father promised. So remain in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

Jesus led them almost as far as Bethany; then he lifted up his hands and blessed them. And as he blessed them, he withdrew, and was taken to heaven. They worshiped him, and then returned to Jerusalem full of joy; and they were continually in the temple, praising God.

Today’s Reflection:

Departures almost always involve ends as well as beginnings and pains as well as opportunities. The same is the case with the Lord’s ascension with which Luke ends his Gospel and with which he begins the Acts of the Apostles. The Lord’s ascension marks the end of his earthly ministry and the beginning of the disciples’ witnessing to the Gospel.

The interplay between pain and opportunity on the part of the disciples is intimated in their reaction as the Lord ascends to the Father. They cannot help but fix their eyes on the Lord as he gets engulfed in the cloud and disappears gradually from their sight (Acts 1:9; cf. Lk 24:51). This scene must have starkly reminded them of Elijah who ascended into heaven through a strong and violent cloud or a whirlwind (cf. 2 Kgs 2:1-14). His ascension was witnessed by his follower named Elisha who kept watching and crying out as Elijah was engulfed in the whirlwind. The passing away of his master was so devastating that Elisha grasped his clothes and tore them into pieces. While Jesus’ disciples are not said to have cried out loud, the fact that the two angels have to tell them to stop looking up towards the heaven suggests that they are immensely pained at the Lord’s departure. On the other hand, while Elisha was still grieving, the spirit of Elijah descended upon him and transformed him into a mature prophet. Similar is what happens to the Lord’s disciples. The Holy Spirit descends upon them shortly after he has been taken up to heaven, transforming them from frightened followers of Jesus of Nazareth to zealous witnesses of the risen Lord.

The Lord’s ascension is more than a “kairotic moment” or a significant event in the history of salvation. It gives us insight into the many forms of departures in life. Resignation from work. Separation. Divorce. Death of significant others. These and many other similar events in life are often painful and even depressing, but they open up possibilities or opportunities that can potentially make us better or even bring out the best in us.

Departures are in some cases necessary in order for those who are left behind to grow. This is precisely the case with Elijah and Jesus. Had they not ascended into heaven, their respective disciples would have stagnated in their growth. The Lord’s disciples in particular would not have been able to spread the Gospel in the wider expanse of the Roman Empire. The Gospel message would have been gone buried with them in their graves. It must be noted that both Elijah and Jesus have adequately prepared their respective disciples in order to be able to stand on their own when they would have gone. Jesus for example taught his disciples about the Kingdom of God and reinforced his teachings by living them out. He allowed his disciples to commit mistakes and restored their self-confidence when they had badly failed. What he did with Simon Peter is a case in point.

May we draw inspiration from the examples of the Lord, especially those among us who are parents, teachers, and leaders. We must moreover be ready to take the exit route whenever those under our tutelage are able to stand on their own. Otherwise we end up fostering in a culture of dependency in them, stunting their growth, and making them perpetually immature.

In the case of those among us who are preparing and are being groomed to become successors, may we draw inspiration from Elisha and the disciples of the Lord. Let us make the most in learning from our parents, teachers, and superiors while we are still under their guidance. Hopefully, we shall become more than ready to take over their place whenever the time of their departure comes. /Vulnerasti, 2022