I was actually hoping Brother Joseph could have preached this weekend, but he’s filling in elsewhere. I have to admit, I find the Ascension is one of the more difficult feasts to preach on. We all know the story of Jesus Ascending to heaven on a cloud; it’s a challenge to add much to what’s been said. At first glance, it seems that Jesus ascending into Heaven has little to do with us at all; it might even be considered a sad moment, like a goodbye, and we might wonder why Jesus Ascended. We might think how it would be easier for disciples today if we too, like those first disciples, could look on the face of Jesus, see the marks of the nails and hear his voice.







A key to understanding why it’s good that Jesus ascended can be found in the reaction of those disciples who witnessed him rise up. We heard in today’s Gospel that after watching Jesus ascend into heaven, the disciples left that spot, “…with great joy…”[i]. There’s no sign of sadness among them. No, instead they left rejoicing, like those shepherds who left the stable after seeing the newborn Saviour on the first Christmas.







The disciples were filled with joy because of their understanding of what the Ascension meant. They recognized how the ascension of Jesus wasn’t a departure from this world, but Jesus’ entry to the Kingdom over all to rule over all, not from some distant place but invisibly, from very nearby. The resurrection was great for Jesus, it reveals how death has no power over him. But through the Ascension the Resurrection becomes something for us; by ruling over all, Our Saviour conquers death not just for himself, but for all who follow him.







Had Jesus not ascended, yes, we could look on his face, but his voice and healing power would be limited to one place and he didn’t come to rule over one group or place; he came to be king of all he has made. It’s always been, ‘from high up’ where God has revealed his power. It was from up on a mountain where God gave his people the Ten Commandments. It was the top of a mountain where Jesus revealed God’s Kingdom and gave The Beatitudes. The Transfiguration of Jesus before Peter, James and John happened on a mountain and from the top of the Cross, Jesus offered forgiveness. God rules over all.







A real mystery of today’s feast isn’t that Jesus Ascended, he’s God and can do all things. No, a real mystery is found in how our Saviour exercises his rule over creation for all time.







First, the Saviour rules over all through his disciples. Today, we’re the ones to bring the healing of Jesus to the world. It’s through us that the Good News is proclaimed. It’s through us that 







Also, through the Sacraments. Baptism, Confession, Eucharist. This lifts us up and keeps our attention fixed on where true power comes from: not an earthly source but form God in Heaven. Focusing on gifts (including people) as source of fulfillment: we’re left unfulfilled. Focusing on life in God’s Kingdom: we know we will be fulfilled.







Our hope isn’t escape from this world, but to renew, to transform, to add to this world and existence. Ascension is about Heaven meeting Earth. We can get a taste of this when doing the work of God and through Sacraments. Hard work though, like climbing a mountain. Pray.















[i] Luke 24:52 NRSVCE