“So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God.” (Mark 16:19)

The feast of the Lord’s Ascension is based on Jesus being taken up to Heaven in his resurrected body in the presence of the Eleven apostles. In the biblical narrative, an angel tells the watching disciples that Jesus' second coming will take place in the same manner as his ascension.

The canonical gospels describe Jesus’ ascension in Luke 24:50-53 and Mark 16:19. A more detailed account of Ascension is given in the Acts of the Apostles 1:9-11, which states that Jesus’ Ascension took place on Mount Olive (the "Mount of Olives," on which the village of Bethany sits). After the Ascension the apostles are described as returning to Jerusalem from the mount that is called Olive, which is near Jerusalem, within a Sabbath day's journey. Tradition has consecrated this site as the Mount of Ascension. The Gospel of Luke states that the event took place “in the vicinity of Bethany” and the Gospel of Mark specifies no location.

The Ascension of the Lord is professed in the Nicene Creed and in the Apostles' Creed. The Catechism of the Catholic Church #668 states: "Christ's Ascension into heaven signifies his participation in his humanity in God's power and authority." Therefore, Jesus’ humanity is being taken into heaven and that we (Christ’s body) will eventually be taken into heaven as well, symbolizing our future exaltation, glorification with our Risen Lord.

God does not want us holding a relationship of Transaction but Transformation. Therefore, Dynamic Christian disciples are those who (1) BELIEVE, (2) GROW, (3) SERVE, (4) LOVE and (5) LEAD others to Jesus. Today’s topic invites us to repent our sins, reflect on our vocation of dynamic Christian discipleship to live a holy life to fulfill God’s will and obtain our salvation.

How can we fulfill Christ’s commissioning to extend God’s Kingdom?

Wishing everyone a blessed week in the Lord.