Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord
Today marks the fortieth day after the Resurrection. Now, having completed His earthly mission, He prepares to return to the Father. Before ascending, He entrusts His disciples with the task of proclaiming the Gospel to all nations, and assures them that they will not be left alone. He will send them a helper, the Holy Spirit. Then, in a moment both awe-inspiring and mysterious, He is lifted from their sight, leaving them in stunned silence. As the apostles stand gazing upwards, trying to grasp what they have just witnessed, two heavenly messengers appear and gently break their trance. “Men of Galilee,” they say, “why are you standing here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will return in the same way you saw Him go.” (cf. Acts 1:6–14). Their words both reassure and challenge the apostles—to move forward with the mission they’ve been given, trusting in Christ’s return.