So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. —Mark 16:19-20
May is known for Mother’s Day, May Day, graduations, and springtime blooms. Sometimes the Christian calendar also brings the annual celebration of the birth of the Church in May: Pentecost. All these beautiful occasions invite us to new life, hope, and possibilities, as does Easter. This year both Ascension Sunday and Pentecost happen during this month of May for many Christians. But Ascension Sunday often does not get as much attention as the holy days of Easter and Pentecost—but still, this day is important.
The ascension of the risen Lord Jesus the Christ is an important moment in the life of the Church and community because it marks the holy and miraculous event of Jesus the Christ being taken up from the earthly dwelling places to the heavenly places. More specifically, this dramatic event helps us to remember that the heavenly places matter and that we are a part of a divine universality and spiritual connection, not only to earth but all the universes. In sum, Jesus’ rising and ascending is good news for all of creation. The occasion of the ascension of Jesus is an illustration of how our lives are called to continually renew and proclaim a risen life for all that is always ascending to new heights.
Mark presents the universal glory of Jesus the Christ and the heavens to which Jesus returns, while quickly turning our attention to the good work that must follow this uniquely divine moment of the risen and ascending Lord.
Recently, many of us took the opportunity to look up to the eclipse. Many were arrested by the majesty of the moon eclipsing the sun. Some travelled to locations where this phenomenon might be more fully seen. Perhaps this looking up helps us to imagine the awe of the disciples and others gathered for the glory of seeing Jesus ascend to the heavenly places as well.
But very importantly, Mark’s accounts of the ascension of Jesus the Christ did not stop with the viewing of the glory in heaven; it is also an invitation to be agents of God’s glory by doing good works that demonstrate God’s power of the Holy Spirit.
Advocacy is an important good work of this wonder and power. Bread for the World is committed to doing this in our holy call to ensure all are fed.
Angelique Walker-Smith is senior associate for Pan African and Orthodox Church engagement at Bread for the World.
