by Fr. Tommy Lane
At the end of school what do you want to do?
—I want to go to college.
After college what do you want to do?
—I want to get a job.
Then what do you want to do?
—I want to make big money.
What do you want to do after making money?
—I want to build a big house.
After that what do you intend to do?
—I want to get married.
What will you do after getting married?
—I will have a family.
What will you do after having a family?
—I will retire.
What do you want to do after you retire?
—I want to take a rest.
What will you do after taking a rest?
—I don’t know.
Will you die?
—Oh yes, I will die too.
We are so busy doing things, achieving, and making progress that we can forget what life is all about: preparing to meet God in heaven. Jesus’ ascension reminds us that we are “only passing through” on this earth, as we say; we are pilgrims on a journey. Just as Jesus’ earthly life was temporary, and he ascended to sit at the right hand of the Father, so also our lives here are temporary, will come to an end, and we will meet God in the next life. Jesus’ ascension reminds us in all of our busyness not to forget what life is all about. Remember that conversation with a student. What will you do next? The student had an answer for everything but never thought about dying and what would happen then. Part of the prayer in the letter to the Ephesians, the second reading today (Eph 1:17-23), is so beautiful:
May God our Father...enlighten the eyes of your mind so that you can see what hope his call holds for you, what rich glories he has promised the saints will inherit and how infinitely great is the power that he has exercised for us believers. (Eph 1:17-19)
It is a most beautiful prayer and description of living life preparing for eternal life. Jesus’ ascension reminds us that God has great plans for us out of this world and that prayer in the second reading also reminds us that God has great plans for us that are out of this world.
You can look at yourself in three ways: what you think of yourself, what others think of you, and what God thinks of you. The most important is what God thinks of you. What does God think of you? The second reading gives us the answer: God looks on you as his son or daughter since you were baptized.
May God our Father...enlighten the eyes of your mind so that you can see what hope his call holds for you…(Eph 1:17-18)
You want the perfect house, the perfect car; in fact, you want the best of everything. But the best awaits us in the next life because God has planned the very best for you. In that prayer Paul prayed
May God our Father...enlighten the eyes of your mind so that you can see … what rich glories he has promised the saints will inherit…(Eph 1:17-18)
We are promised glory in the next life. Whatever possessions or riches you have are nothing compared to the riches of heaven. Can you take £1 to heaven with you? No, it is nothing compared to the riches of heaven:
May God our Father...enlighten the eyes of your mind so that you can see … what rich glories he has promised the saints will inherit…(Eph 1:17-18)
As we listen to so many reports about corruption, it seems that people use all sorts of ways to exert power and influence over others. Does God exert any power or influence over our lives? Jesus rose from the dead, and therefore God the Father “has put all things under his [Jesus’] feet.” (Eph 1:22) This is the power and influence of God exerts for you. So the prayer continues:
May God our Father...enlighten the eyes of your mind so that you can see … how infinitely great is the power that he has exercised for us believers. (Eph 1:17-19)
God wants the best for you and through Jesus offers you the best and put all enemies under Jesus’ feet when Jesus rose from the dead so that you can be free to enjoy the life God offers you. God has exercised power for you. Live with Jesus in your life every day enjoying the power God has exercised for you.
What a wonderful privilege we all enjoy as sons and daughters of God since baptism. How wonderful is this calling we have all received. How wonderful are the riches of heaven that God has planned for us. It certainly makes us see everything in this life in a new light. How wonderful is the power God worked in Jesus’ resurrection to raise us all to new life.
Before Jesus ascended, he entrusted his mission to the apostles saying, “Go, therefore, make disciples of all nations...” (Matt 28:19; Gospel Year A) While that mission was entrusted to the apostles, and to the bishops their successors, and to priests their assistants, you can assist them in their mission to evangelize by praying for them and by giving witness that you follow Jesus. This is another way in which you live the prayer of the second reading seeing what hope God's call holds for you:
May God our Father...enlighten the eyes of your mind so that you can see what hope his call holds for you, what rich glories he has promised the saints will inherit and how infinitely great is the power that he has exercised for us believers. (Eph 1:17-19)
Copyright © Fr. Tommy Lane 2000
This homily was delivered in a parish in Ireland.
More Homilies for the Ascension of Our Lord
Praying for the Holy Spirit after Jesus’ Ascension 2021
Gathered around Our Lady after Jesus’ Ascension 2018
Year A: Students in the school of Jesus 2023
Year B: Jesus is present in his Church after his Ascension 2006
Year C: Jesus’ Ascension: Jesus with us in a new nearness 2022
Related Homilies: Waiting in Prayer for the Outpouring of the Holy Spirit
More on the theme of above homily in The Glorious Future Awaiting Us