Gospel Reflection May 21 – Deacon Petrill
Sunday, May 21
The Ascension of the Lord
Mt 28:16-20
Gospel:
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.”
Gospel Reflection:
This weekend, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, which marks the culmination of Christ’s earthly ministry and his return to the Father in heaven.
Just as Jesus ascended to heaven, we are called to set our hearts and minds on things above and strive for a deeper relationship with God. The Ascension reminds us that our lives are part of a larger, eternal plan, challenging us to examine our priorities and align them with God and his eternal kingdom.
The Ascension also reminds us of our role as Christ’s witnesses and the building up of his kingdom here on earth. In today’s Gospel, Jesus entrusted his disciples with the task of spreading the Good News and making disciples of all nations. We are responsible for continuing this mission, sharing Christ’s message of salvation and embodying Christ’s love and compassion in the world.
Witnessing Christ’s ascent into heaven must have been a deeply transformative experience for the disciples. May we also be transformed by the Ascension and live out our faith with greater boldness and conviction, knowing that we are not alone in this task, for Christ is with us and sends the Holy Spirit to guide and inspire us.
-Deacon Stephen Petrill