Sermon Tone Analysis

Title

Why the Ascension?

Outline

The Church was created within the ministry of Jesus

Its initiation sacrament was that of baptism, even if the understanding of this sacrament would deepen

Its way of life was that of the Old Testament understood through the life and teaching of Jesus

Its leadership structure was that of Jesus as Messiah and Lord with his Twelve official delegates representing him

Its prayer life was that of the Temple liturgy and Jesus’ teaching on prayer - in Luke we see them entering into the praises of God in the Temple

Its core sacrament was that of the Eucharist, although understanding would deepen over the years

John tells us that the disciples had received the Holy Spirit and thus were empowered for leadership

But the Ascension was needed

Jesus was raised from the dead with a transformed body that was both objectively “there” - he comes to us rather than coming out of us in some mystical vision, as Pope Benedict says - and able to transcend the space-time universe and be present to the Father

But because Jesus was embodied, fully human, he was limited within the space-time universe.

While he could transcend space, he was either here or there, not everywhere.

Because he was as human a being, he was at a meal or on a lakeshore or in a room.

When he ascends he is beyond space and time or, perhaps, underneath space and time, in the realm, the “thatness”, of the eternal now and eternal being from which space and time spring.

From there he could govern the universe (and a lot more) for he just “is”.

And through the Spirit which he sends he could be everywhere in the universe, since the Spirit is not one with a human nature and its creatureliness.

Therefore we celebrate the ascension

Now Jesus takes up his rule, as Ephesians says, a rule he had (as we see in the transfiguration), but which he as God-man could not fully exercise in the space-time universe until that universe itself is transformed and renovated to be like his transformed body

Now Jesus sends the Spirit, not to form or lead the Church, but to explode it from Jerusalem into a world-wide expansion - in Luke’s view taking over the world as it goes to the center of the world, Rome.

Now Jesus is available, and Lord of, not just a small Christian community in Jerusalem, the new Temple, the Body of Christ, worshipping in the city of the Temple, but, once the Spirit explodes the believing community into the world, to the whole world

Now we see why he could not answer the question, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

The reason is that the “times and seasons” are all one great now from the point of view of God’s throne, although within the universe the now develops and takes time.

Furthermore, he is Israel and the Church is the renewed people of God, so in a sense Israel has the kingdom when Jesus sits on his throne and yet the renewed Israel in this world is in process of entering into that now.

Sisters, if this is mind boggling, it should be

We are within this space-time universe although our souls sense the deeper reality.

Yet as we meditate on the ascension and its implications, we receive courage and hope and a new vision that prepares us for the mission we call Pentecost.

Readings

FIRST READING

Acts 1:1–11

CHAPTER 1*

1 In the first book, Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught 2 until the day he was taken up, after giving instructions through the holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.

3 He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 While meeting with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for “the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak; 5 for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the holy Spirit.”

6 When they had gathered together they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He answered them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority.

8 But you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

9 When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.

10 While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them.

11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky?

This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.”

RESPONSE

Psalm 47:6

6 God has gone up with a shout;

the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.

PSALM

Psalm 47:2–3, 6–9

2 All you peoples, clap your hands;

shout to God with joyful cries.

3 For the LORD, the Most High, is to be feared,

the great king over all the earth,

6 God has gone up with a shout;

the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.

7 Sing praise to God, sing praise;

sing praise to our king, sing praise.

8 For God is king over all the earth;

sing hymns of praise.

9 God rules over the nations;

God sits upon his holy throne.

SECOND READING

Option A

Ephesians 1:17–23

17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him.

18 May the eyes of [your] hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones, 19 and what is the surpassing greatness of his power for us who believe, in accord with the exercise of his great might, 20 which he worked in Christ, raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens, 21 far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this age but also in the one to come.

22 And he put all things beneath his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Matthew 28:19a, 20b

19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit,

20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

GOSPEL

Luke 24:46–53

46 And he said to them, “Thus it is written that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day 47 and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

48 You are witnesses of these things.

49 And [behold] I am sending the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

50 Then he led them [out] as far as Bethany, raised his hands, and blessed them.

51 As he blessed them he parted from them and was taken up to heaven.

52 They did him homage and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and they were continually in the temple praising God.

Notes

SUNDAY, MAY 29, 2022 | EASTER

ASCENSION OF THE LORD

In dioceses where Ascension is observed on Sunday.

YEAR C | ROMAN MISSAL | LECTIONARY

On the same date: 7th Sunday of Easter

First Reading Acts 1:1–11

Response Psalm 47:6

Psalm Psalm 47:2–3, 6–9

Second Reading Ephesians 1:17–23 or Hebrews 9:24–28, 10:19–23

Gospel Acclamation Matthew 28:19a, 20b

Gospel Luke 24:46–53

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