I have often wondered on this feast day what it must have been like for the Apostles as they watched Jesus disappear through the clouds before their eyes at the Ascension. They who had shared so many intimate experiences with him over those sacred three years must have felt a profound sense of loss. I imagine each of them had a personal encounter with him, carrying memories that were uniquely theirs. The closest comparison I can make is the loss of a best friend—someone with whom we share our confidence, companionship, joys, and sorrows. The ache of that personal loss would surely color the days, weeks, and months that followed. And yet, we must remember: these disciples had walked with the very Son of God. The depth of that loss must have been almost incomprehensible.
As they returned to Jerusalem, despite the joy of experiencing his resurrected presence for forty days, the Apostles were still uncertain about what he had asked of them, although he had said, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matt. 28:19-20). They had even asked Jesus before His Ascension, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?”—a question that reflected their continued misunderstanding of his true mission. However, all would become clearer in time, especially after they received the Holy Spirit.
The message of the Feast of the Ascension can be captured in three simple words: Promise, Presence, and Power. The promise of the Holy Spirit, who would guide and enlighten them; the presence of Jesus, who would remain with them always; and the power to carry out their new mission with courage and conviction summarize this feast.
Scripture shows us how quickly these Ascension promises began to unfold: Peter healed the crippled man at the Temple gate, converting thousands in a single day through his preaching about the risen Christ, and standing boldly before both religious and civil authorities—fully aware that his Lord and Master was with him in every moment.
Though this feast sometimes receives less attention, perhaps due to its proximity to Easter, its message remains essential to our lives. The promise, presence, and power of Christ continue to fuel our apostolic mission even after two thousand years. Today, we might ask ourselves: To what extent do we believe these words were meant for us, too?
Living out the Gospel message is a lifelong journey. As G. K. Chesterton once wrote, “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried.” Christ gave us the model, but we often fall short. As Dominican women and preachers of the Word, we are called to witness through our lives that the message of Christ, of love and peace, is indeed possible, even in a fractured world. As our Sister, Barbara Paul, OP, reminded us recently, we can never give up.
So today, as we approach the Eucharist, may we renew our belief that Jesus is just as present in our lives now as he was to Peter and the disciples then. And may we always rely on his power to sustain us, because God always keeps his promises.
– Sister Helen R. Boyd, OP
Sister Helen resides in Dominican Convent where she serves
on the Life Enrichment Committee and co-chairs the
Mission Outreach Committee.