The eleven disciples went to Galilee,
to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them.
When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted.
Then Jesus approached and said to them,
“All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
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,
teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.
And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
“All power in heaven and on earth has been given to
me. 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, teaching them to
observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until
the end of the age.”
Today we celebrate the Ascension of our Lord; this
is the moment when our Lord returned to His heavenly throne seated at the right
hand of the Father. However, before our
Lord departed from this world He left His disciples the Great Commission to go
out into the world baptizing, proselytizing,
and proclaiming his word. Today’s
celebration may seem odd to some because they might think; “Why do you
celebrate the moment that your God has left you?” In other words some would believe that we,
the followers of Christ, have been abandoned by our God. But the faithful Christian knows that this
could not be further from the truth.
There is a place in the holy land called the Dome of the Ascension, and
it is in this place that ancient tradition teaches our Lord ascended into heaven. In this chapel there is a stone which
contains a footprint of our Lord; this footprint truly stirs in the hearts of
the faithful, hope in following were He has gone. Our Lord has not abandoned us but instead has
shown us the way to our heavenly home.
Therefore, be inspired brothers and sisters and go out into the world
leading your coworkers, friends, family, and even complete strangers to Him and
His bride the Church in which the Holy Spirit abides. For our Lord is truly with us always strengthening
us by His Word and Sacraments; and giving us hope even in the midst of adversity
and trials. Have no fear; rid yourselves
of doubt; and follow in the footsteps of our Risen Lord! Blessings. Fr. Steven
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