Today we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension, Jesus’ return to our Father. The first reading gives us a more detailed account, describing the time Jesus spent with the Disciples as well as His ascension. Jesus spoke about the Kingdom and told the Disciples to remain in Jerusalem to await “the promise of the Father” …the Holy Spirit.

On the day that Jesus ascended, the Disciples asked what, to me, seems like an odd question: “Lord, at this time are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” After everything that has happened, they still think Jesus’ mission is to release Israel from the Roman occupation. Jesus doesn’t directly answer their question, but instead says that it isn’t for the Disciples to know the Father’s plans but rather to be His witnesses throughout the world after receiving the Holy Spirit. As they watch in awe, He is taken from them.

Imagine their sense of loss…Jesus has left them again, apparently with vague instructions and the promise of a “helper”. All they can do is watch after him, until two “men dressed in white garments” appear and ask them why they’re just standing there. Jesus will return one day, and in the meantime there’s work to be done. We, too, are Disciples. It's not hard to put ourselves in the shoes of the first Disciples; the job seems overwhelming, and it isn’t always clear what God is asking of us specifically or how to go about it.

It took until the coming of the Holy Spirit for the Disciples to get moving. We too need the Holy Spirit, as does our world.

Next week is Pentecost, when we both celebrate the coming of the Spirit upon the Disciples and also pray a renewed outpouring of the Spirit upon us. But it’s not too early to begin thinking about how Jesus is asking us to be His witnesses and praying for the Spirit to help and guide us.

Reflection by parishioner John Ceglarek