THE SOLEMNITY OF THE ASCENSION
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IT MUST HAPPEN THIS
WAY
A famous Filipino-American
stand-up comedy artist was interviewed on television about the perks and perils
of his occupation. Known to heavily invest on family humor, involving his
mother and his son, the interviewer asked whether his now teenage son protests
being dragged into the fray. The comedian
replied that his son has no choice but to agree to it, for otherwise there will
be no college fund, no new rubber shoes, no travel or vacation allowance! It must
happen this way, even if it may be uncomfortable for the kid!
If the disciples had their way,
most certainly they would never have allowed Jesus to leave. Experiencing Jesus’
absence even just for three days turned their world upside down. There was the
grief, the pain of loss, the helplessness, the sense of having lost all, when the
Lord Jesus was taken from them. Now that he is back in their midst as the Risen
and Victorious One, they must have wanted him to remain forever. Why should his
return be brief? Why can’t they claim him again as one of the pack?
For Jesus the Ascension must have
been a painful chapter of his life too. Yes, he was eager to be reunited in
glory with the Father. He was relieved that at last, the mission has been
accomplished. But he also forged the best of human relationships with the men
and women who followed him. It was their company he enjoyed; their banter he
delighted in; their warmth and friendship he cherished. Coming back from the
dead, would he not have preferred to share his experience of new life longer with
his disciples? But for Jesus, the Ascension meant separation from the ones he
loved.
The Ascension must happen for the
work of salvation to flourish and continue. The Resurrection was not meant to
be a victory party or a reunion of kindred spirit. The mystery of Jesus’ life
must now give way to the continuing mystery of other gifts from God, most
notably, the gift of the Holy Spirit. If Jesus will not go, then the Spirit will
not come. And it is now the Spirit who will complete the work of Jesus in the hearts
of disciples and in the hearts of many more who will come to believe. The Ascension
is the price Jesus and the disciples have to pay for God’s people to move on
and progress in their life of faith, hope and love.
In our lives we wonder why good
things should sometimes end so soon. We question why we must trade a cherished
item in order to get another. Why is is that we cannot keep together all the
good things we love? A parent must go abroad to sustain the family. A student
needs to leave the campus to pursue higher dreams. A loved one must die to
bring together scattered family members. A relationship must end so that both
parties may grow.
Let us pray to the Lord for the
grace of the Ascension. May we accept the things that must happen so that we
can receive the gifts that are to come.
