Occasion: Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord
Readings: Acts of the Apostles 1:1-11, Hebrews 9:24-28; 10:19-23; Luke 24:46-53

IN A WAY THE STORY of Christ is one of descents and ascents, of going up to heaven and heaven coming down to earth. But the story is not a solo trip. In descending and ascending, Jesus takes us with him. He came from God to dwell among us and show us his way. He rose from the dead to give us life. He ascended into heaven to go back to God and complete his mission. And he will come again to take his faithful to himself forever.

Right after the start of the Spanish civil war, a young Catholic teacher named Victoria Diez was rounded up along with other Catholics by a "Committee for the Defense of the Republic" in the Andalusian town of Hornachuelos. Several days later she found herself and a number of others walking to an open mineshaft, their place of execution. During this journey she encouraged her companions with the words, "I see the heavens open." She stuck with these words of faith, refusing to offer the revolutionary slogan that would have saved her life.

Her actions recall those of Saint Stephen, the first martyr. When he was about to die—in Jerusalem—"he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God" (Acts 7:56). This vision gave these two martyrs, among many others, the strength to give their lives for their faith. Jesus took a similar journey before them. And from Jerusalem he ascended to heaven.

Her actions recall those of Saint Stephen, the first martyr. When he was about to die—in Jerusalem—"he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God" (Acts 7:56). This vision gave these two martyrs, among many others, the strength to give their lives for their faith. Jesus took a similar journey before them. And from Jerusalem he ascended to heaven.

Before Jesus ascended, however, he descended. He came down from heaven. " 'No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man,' " says the Gospel of John. What did he bring with him? The good news of God's kingdom. Does not Luke remind "Theophilus," his generic listener, "about all that Jesus did and taught"? Does not Jesus spend the 40 days after his resurrection "speaking about the kingdom of God"? This teaching and healing comes from God. Even Jesus himself in John's gospel speaks of his mission as something from God: " 'I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.' "

From heaven Jesus came, and to heaven he returned. But he is not gone. He spent the time after his resurrection preparing the disciples for the new way he would be present to them: in the Spirit. He also remains present in the Eucharist he left us. Among all the things the Eucharist is and does, it is something we celebrate "until he comes again." This celebration sustains and awakens in us the hope of Christ's next-and last-descent: "'You will see the Son of Man . . . coming with the clouds of heaven'" (Mark 14:62).

While we are waiting, we have work to do. "Men of Galilee," the figures in white robes asked the disciples, "why do you stand looking up towards heaven?" These angels reminded the disciples they are from an earthly place called Galilee and that they had the business of proclaiming the gospel, teaching, and healing—the business of the kingdom of God—to do. While they started in Jerusalem, they, too, had to leave this city, because Jesus has told them to be his witnesses not only in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria, but "to the ends of the earth."

We come to Jerusalem to see a vision of heaven, to celebrate that our Savior has come from heaven and has gone back to prepare a place for us. But like Jesus, and like all his disciples who witness to him and give of themselves sacrificially, we must also leave Jerusalem. We come not only to worship but also to serve. We take our vision and live the gospel of his kingdom in the presence of his Spirit until he comes again "to bring salvation to those who eagerly await him."