May 17, 2026・Feast of the Lord's Ascension (A)

Acts 1.1-11・Ps 47.2+3, 6+7, 8+9・Ephesians 1.17-23・Matthew 28.16-20                           　　　　　　　           

On the Feast of the Ascension of our Lord, we commemorate the day that Jesus Christ ascended into heaven. Our feast today takes over the 7th Sunday of Easter, counting today (Sunday), as the following Sunday 40 days after Easter.

Our First Reading today talks about the period right after the Resurrection, Jesus appearing to His disciples (1) teaching about the Reign of God, (2) promising to send His disciples the Holy Spirit that will enable them (the disciples) to participate in establishing the Reign of God all over the world.     

The Gospel Reading today tells us about Jesus commanding the His disciples to go out to the world, making disciples of all nations and baptizing prople in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. This is the “great commissioning”that our catechesis talks about. The disciples of Jesus, commissioned to spread the Good News will be both witnesses and teachers for each one to understand the Reign of God and the fulfillment of God`s Salvation ( including the forgiveness of sins, a topic we will be sharing next week) as well.     

Just as St. Paul prayed for the Ephesians, may we always find deeper knowledge of God who dwells among us. Let us celebrate the unending presence of the Risen Jesus among us, through the Holy Spirit, our source of hope and enlightenment.