May 20, 2012 - JESUS' ASCENSION

Today, May 20, 2012, we commemorate the Ascension of Jesus which marks the end of the Easter Season.The Church gives the same importance to this occasion as in the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. It marks the end of the public ministry of Jesus and the beginning of the Church's ministry to the world. In this connection, this event is a paradox- "a thing or situation exhibiting an apparently contradictory nature. As Fr. Mike of St. Ignatius Church said," How can an ending be simultaneously be a new beginning?" In answer to his own question, he added, "Graduation from school or college are called Commencement Exercises because it marks the end on one chapter in a student's life and celebrates the beginning of a new one."

True to the paradox of an ending which is a new beginning, Jesus' incarnation into this world, His mission for being born has come into an end and with it, He commissions His apostles to go into the four corners of the world to preach the Good News. Thus, the Church  embarks into a new undertaking - its mission to make all men disciples of Christ!

In the last Discourse of John's Gospel, Jesus said to His apostles, "It is better for you that I go for if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you, but if I go, I will send Him to you." The Advocate is the Holy Spirit! As you all know, Pentecost which we shall celebrate soon, marks the coming of the Holy Spirit.

In one of my blogs in 2010, I discussed quite lengthily, the Ascension of Jesus and my experiences at the Chapel of the Ascension in Jerusalem. How about reading it?