Lk. 24: 46-53
“Transformation happens on the other side of the surrender.” Today we celebrate the solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. Christian tradition strongly upholds the fact that Jesus remained on earth for forty days after his resurrection and ascended into heaven on the 40th day. Why did Jesus remain here for forty days? Why didn’t he ascend into heaven soon after his resurrection? There are no definite answers to all these queries. But our faith and hope help us to believe in the following conclusions: First and foremost, with his resurrection Christ is beyond space and time. So the days that we count can be a sign that tells us he spent time with his disciples after his resurrection. The post resurrection account depicts Christ’s unconditional love for his followers. He knew that his death shattered them and they needed his compassionate presence to rebuild them once again. It is his presence that gave them the strength and insight to understand all that he had taught them as the fulfillment of the salvation plan of God from eternity and also the fact that the Christ event is not just a tragic story.
We read in the gospel that they went back to Jerusalem with great joy. Jerusalem was a place they did not want to go along with their Master because they knew what awaited him there. But now, they are no more fearful. Because the one who is with them has conquered death. They completely trust in his promise that in Jerusalem a great transformation would happen to them. His spirit would empower them and they would be his witnesses to the end of the earth. Disciples recognized their failures and realized the fact that it is not their merit but the loving mercy of God that makes things new. Like the disciples holding on to the hands of our Bl. Mother in the upper room, let us surrender ourselves to God and pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that we may be strengthened to stand for his love.