The Ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ is one of the great mysteries of the Christian faith, celebrated forty days after Easter. It marks the moment when the risen Christ, having conquered death, rises into heaven before his disciples to rejoin the Father. This event, both solemn and luminous, concludes his visible presence on earth and inaugurates a new form of relationship between him and believers.
An event recounted in the Scriptures
The story of the Ascension is told to us mainly in the Acts of the Apostles (1, 1-11), in the Gospel according to Saint Luke (24, 50-53) and evoked in the Gospel of Mark (16, 19). After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples several times, teaching them and preparing them for their mission. Then, gathered on Ascension Hill, near Bethany, Jesus spoke his last words to them: "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. Then you will be my witnesses... to the ends of the earth". Then, "while he was blessing them, he separated from them and was taken up into heaven".
This departure is not an abandonment: it is the fulfilment of God's plan. Jesus returns to the Father, not to depart, but to prepare a place for those who believe in him. Through the Ascension, he raises humanity up into the very heart of God.
A glorification of Christ and a sign of hope
The Ascension is not an end, but a fulfilment. It confirms Jesus' divinity and his definitive victory over sin and death. Jesus is no longer limited by the laws of the earth: he now reigns in heavenly glory, at the right hand of the Father. This ascension shows that Christ is Lord of the universe, that he holds all authority in heaven and on earth.
For Christians, the Ascension is also a promise: that of a future with God. In ascending to heaven, Jesus does not turn the page on human history, but illuminates it with the light of the Resurrection. He becomes invisible, but not absent. Through his Spirit, he remains alive and active in the Church. The Ascension paves the way for Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit will descend to strengthen the apostles and send them on mission.
A mission entrusted to believers
Through the Ascension, Jesus entrusts his disciples - and the whole Church - with a clear mission: to be his witnesses to the ends of the earth. This departure inaugurates the time of the Church, a time when believers are called to make Christ known to the world, to live in faith, hope and charity, allowing themselves to be guided by the Holy Spirit.
The Ascension therefore calls for a double movement: raising our eyes to heaven, but also remaining committed to earth. It invites us to contemplate the glory of Christ while investing ourselves fully in our vocation as Christians. It is a mystery of elevation, but also of responsibility.
A liturgical feast full of joy
The Solemnity of the Ascension is celebrated with fervour by Christians throughout the world. It is an opportunity to sing of Christ's victory, to meditate on his heavenly glory and to rekindle our faith in eternal life. The liturgy emphasises Easter joy, light, and praise, directly linked to the Resurrection.
In contemplating the Ascension of the Lord, believers are invited to keep their eyes turned towards heaven, without shying away from the realities of the world. For the risen Christ, ascended into heaven, still walks with us by the power of his Spirit and promises that one day we will join him in his glory.
The Ascension of the Lord is a mystery of faith and hope. It reminds us that our destiny does not end on earth, but is directed towards heaven. Jesus has not left us: he goes before us, guides us and sends us on our way. He lives forever, and reigns in glory at the right hand of God. May this feast rekindle our faith, strengthen our hope, and renew our commitment to be witnesses of Christ in the world.
