As Catholics around the world prepare to celebrate the Feast of the Ascension on Thursday, May 14, the Church reflects on the moment Christ returned to the Father in glory, completing His earthly mission while entrusting His followers with the mission of continuing His work in the world.
Celebrated 40 days after Easter, the Ascension commemorates Jesus’ return to the Father after His Resurrection. Far from marking an ending, however, the feast points toward a beginning: the commissioning of the apostles, the birth of the Church’s mission, and the promise that Christ remains with His people always.
In the Gospel accounts, Jesus gathers His disciples one final time before ascending into Heaven, entrusting them with the mission to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Though the apostles watched Him disappear from sight, they were not abandoned. Instead, they were filled with hope and anticipation for the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
The Ascension reminds the faithful that Heaven is not merely an abstract idea, but the destination for which every human heart longs. In ascending, Christ opens the gates of Heaven and invites humanity into deeper communion with God.
At the same time, the feast carries an important challenge. Before ascending, Jesus commands His followers to continue His work in the world by bringing hope to the suffering, truth to a confused world, and the light of the Gospel into daily life.
The Ascension serves as a reminder that while Christians are called to live fully in the world, their ultimate home is with God. It invites the faithful to carry out the responsibilities of daily life with hearts rooted in eternal hope.
As the Diocese of Norwich joins the universal Church in celebrating the Ascension, the feast serves as a reminder that Christ has not left His people behind. Rather, He goes before them, calling each person to live with faith, purpose, and the joyful hope of eternal life.