14/05/2026
*🔥THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD!!!*
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*THE FIRST READING: ACTS 1:1-11.*
*R/PSALM: Ps. 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9(R: 6)*
*2ND READING: EPHESIANS 1:17-23.*
*G/ACCLAMATION: MT. 28:19a, 20b.*
*GOSPEL READING: MATT. 28:16-20.*
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_*Abstract:*_ *The Solemnity of the Ascension is not the celebration of Jesus’ absence, but of His glorified presence. Christ returns to the Father, not to abandon His disciples, but to empower them for mission and remain with them forever through the Holy Spirit and the Church. The Ascension reveals humanity’s divine destiny: in Christ, heaven is now open to us. Therefore, the Church is commissioned to evangelize, baptize, teach, and witness to all nations until Christ comes again in glory.*
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_*"Behold, I am with you always*_
_*to the close of the age!"*_
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Forty days after the Resurrection, the disciples watched Jesus ascend into heaven. But what looked like a departure was actually an expansion of His presence. Before the Ascension, Jesus could only be in one place at one time; after the Ascension, He can now be present to all peoples, in every nation, in every age, through the Holy Spirit.
That is why the final words of Jesus in Matthew’s Gospel are not words of abandonment, but words of assurance: _*“Behold, I am with you always, even to the close of the age.”*_ The Ascension, therefore, is not *“goodbye.”* It is Christ saying: _*“I am going ahead of you, but I will never leave you.”*_ Give Him praise and glory! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Today, Holy Mother Church celebrates one of the most glorious mysteries of our faith—the Ascension of the Lord. Forty days after His Resurrection, Jesus returns to the Father in glory, completing His earthly mission and opening heaven for humanity.
But this feast is deeper than many of us imagine. The Ascension is not merely about Jesus going _*up*_ into heaven. It is about humanity being lifted _*into*_ God. Through this remarkable and phenomenal mystery, we are allowed to glimpse an astonishing truth: that in Jesus Christ, God entered human history completely, walked among us intimately, died for us sacrificially, rose for us victoriously, and now carries our humanity into heavenly glory eternally.
And because of this, everything about human life changes. The Ascension redefines what it means to be human. Human beings are no longer creatures destined only for dust and decay. In Christ, we now have:
`• a divine origin,
`• a divine companionship,
`• and a divine destiny.
We are made for heaven!
That is why Saint Paul, in the second reading, struggles to find words powerful enough to describe the glory of Christ enthroned above every principality and power. Christ now fills all things and remains present in His Body, the Church.
This is the paradox of today’s feast: Jesus ascends, yet He remains. He leaves physically, yet becomes spiritually accessible everywhere. Before the Ascension, Jesus was present in one geographical location. But after the Ascension, through the Holy Spirit, He becomes universally present to all believers across all nations and generations.
His going away is actually a gain for us. As He Himself said: _*“It is better for you that I go.”*_ Why? Because the Ascension prepares the way for Pentecost — the coming of the Holy Spirit.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (cf. 662) beautifully teaches that Christ entered heaven itself to appear before the Father on our behalf. He eternally intercedes for us as our High Priest. Heaven is no longer closed to humanity because Christ has entered there carrying our human nature with Him.
What an incredible hope! Where the Head has gone, the Body is called to follow. In other words: The Ascension of Jesus is the future of every faithful Christian. Alleluia!
*The Mission of the Church:*
But before ascending, Jesus did something very important: He handed over a mission. _*"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations.”*_ Notice carefully: Jesus did not say, _“Make admirers.”_ He said, _*“Make disciples.”*_ A disciple is someone who follows Christ completely, learns from Him daily, and witnesses to Him courageously. And this mission is universal!
The Church is sent to all nations, all races, all peoples, all cultures. In Christ, every barrier collapses. The Gospel is not tribal. Salvation is not selective. Heaven is not reserved for a few privileged people. The Church therefore becomes the great sign of humanity united in God.
And Jesus gives us two principal mandates before His Ascension:
*1. To Baptize:*
_*“Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”*_ Baptism is not merely a ceremony. It is incorporation into the very life of God. It seals us into the history of salvation, making us children of God and members of Christ’s body.
*2. To Teach:*
_*“Teaching them to observe all I have commanded you.”*_ The Church must not only baptize people; she must also form them. Teaching the faith is sacred work. In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus taught, preached, and healed. Now the Church must continue that same ministry. Every parent, priest, catechist, religious, and Christian believer shares in this mission of transmitting the faith faithfully.
Sadly, many today want Christianity without discipleship, blessings without conversion, miracles without commitment, and religion without obedience. But authentic Christianity must be taught, lived, defended, and handed on.
*The Great Consolation*
And finally comes the most comforting line in today’s Gospel:
_*“And behold, I am with you always, even to the close of the age.”*_ What a consoling promise!
The Gospel of Matthew began with: _*“They shall call Him Emmanuel”*_ — meaning, God-with-us. And Matthew ends with: _*“I am with you always.”*_ The message is clear: Jesus remains Emmanuel forever. He is with His Church:
~• in the Eucharist,
~• in the Scriptures,
~• in the poor and suffering,
~• in the Sacraments,
~• in the gathering of believers,
~• and through the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit.
So no Christian walks alone. No Church suffers alone. No believer fights alone. Christ is alive. Christ reigns. Christ remains. Alleluia!
My dear brothers and sisters,l the Ascension is not the story of Christ disappearing into the clouds. It is the story of humanity entering glory. Jesus did not ascend to abandon us. He ascended to empower us. He did not leave the earth because He was finished with us. He ascended because heaven was finally ready for us.
And until the day we join Him in glory, His final promise still stands: _*“I am with you always.”*_ So let us go forth courageously:
• evangelizing boldly,
• living faithfully,
• teaching truthfully,
• praying fervently,
• and longing constantly for heaven. Because where the Head has gone, the Body is destined to follow!
Alleluia!🔥Alleluia!!🔥Alleluia!!!🔥
Lemme leave you with these beautiful and memorable takeaways:
*1. The Ascension is not Christ’s absence but His glorified presence.*
*2. Heaven is now opened to humanity through Christ.*
*3. Every Christian is called to mission and discipleship.*
*4. Baptism initiates us into God’s saving life and mission.*
*5. The Church must continue Christ’s ministry of teaching, preaching, and healing.*
*6. Jesus remains Emmanuel — God-with-us forever.*
*7. The Ascension prepares us for Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit.*
_*Let's bow our heads and pray!*_
_*Heavenly Father, we thank You for the glory of the Ascension of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. In Him, You have raised our humanity into heavenly glory and opened for us the gates of eternal life. Strengthen Your Church in her mission to evangelize, baptize, and teach all nations. Fill us with the power of the Holy Spirit as we prepare for Pentecost. Help us to live always with our hearts fixed on heaven, where Christ our Head has gone before us. Lord Jesus, remain with us always in our struggles, fears, ministries, and journeys. Teach us never to lose hope, never to grow weary in faith, and never to forget our heavenly destiny. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever, Amen!*_
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Join us in praying especially for Nigeria in these difficult times. May God continue to grant wisdom, justice, courage, and compassion to our leaders. May God bring peace to nations at war, comfort to the suffering, and conversion to hardened hearts. Amen!
_*Will you please join us in praying on this fourteenth day of the month for these worthy and loving servants of the Lord and His Gospel—great Priests of the Catholic Diocese of Ondo:*_
*1). Fr. Anthony Oyèdélé.*
*2). Fr. Francis Ògúnyankin.*
*3). Fr. Victor Ọ̀tun.*
*4). Fr. Jude Adéwùmí.*
*5). Fr. Joseph Dàda.*
*6). Fr. Fidelis Kẹ́hìndé Amọ́kọ, _and_*
*7). Fr. Andrew Ọmọ́gbẹ̀hìn.*
_*May they all be excellent examples of solid witnesses to Christ and His Gospel of Grace and love, carrying out their priestly duties in sanctified souls and bodies for the praise and glory of God, Amen!*_
We ask you our Lord and God, to continue to bless all our priests, religious, missionaries, and faithful laborers in your vineyard. Renew in them the fire of their calling and the joy of serving You. And may the Holy Spirit — the Spirit of Truth — lead us into all truth and finally into eternal communion with You. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. I remain your truly humble servant and priest,
_*>Aiyélarí, Jerome Abímbọ́lá (Fr.).*_
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_*Live JESUS in our HEARTS — Forever!*_
