Ascension of the Lord Year B. By Tobe Eze

1.       Small stature is never small value. That is, small body is not small knowledge or does not make man small. Tobe Eze.

Ascension of the Lord Year B.

FIRST READING
Acts 1:1—11

SECOND READING
Ephesians 4:1-13

GOSPEL
Mark 16:15—20

THEME: TAKEN OUT OF SIGHT NOT HE ART.

I lived in a place where a woman has a shop in front of my house. I noticed that from time to time that woman will receive one kind call and the mood will change. She will become happy for the rest of the day no matter the time she received it. After observing this for long, I tried to understand the drama. I started going to her shop to discuss each time that I notice she is answering the call. After a while and I could not get everything clear as I wanted, I decided to ask questions. When next she was answering the call, I went there and waited till she finished and I asked. Who is this person giving you this type of happiness? To my utmost surprise she said her husband. But your husband is not even in the country, not even in sight. She answered me. He is out of sight but not out of heart. After looking at this experience, I think it has a connection with what we are celebrating today. Jesus is out of sight but not out of heart. Continue Reading.....................

The first reading presented us with the summary of what Jesus did after his resurrection. That he stayed for forty days appearing to his disciples who he had chosen till the day that he was taken into heaven. Before his ascension, he told them to remain in Jerusalem to wait for the Holy Spirit who will make everything clear to them so that they will be his witnesses to the ends of the earth. There are two ways of bearing witness, either true witness or false witness. One can only bear true witness to someone one has in heart, one the person loves. But to one that is not in the heart will receive false witness. The apostles and disciples of Jesus were able to bear him witness because they had him in their heart. He was taken away from their sights but not from their hearts.

But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. Therefore, it says: He ascended on high and took prisoners captive; he gave gifts to men. What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended into the lower regions of the earth? The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things. And he gave some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as pastors and teachers, to equip the holy ones for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the extent of the full stature of Christ. This gotten from the second reading is just to show that God gives grace to those whom he calls to bear him witness and they have different gifts that they through them bear him witness.

In the gospel, we are presented with the signs that accompany those who bear him witness. Many heart breaking situations will come their ways but will not break them down. They will even in the point of death will not fear. They will care more for their souls than their bodies.

It is only those who have the Lord in their hearts that will bear him witness. Sometimes when we see many things in life, we try even to question if God really exist. We do not see God with the eyes rather with the heart. If we have him in heart, we will always have his promise in our heart, I am with you forevermore (Matthew 28:20). He did not leave us like orphans but he promised to send us the Holy Spirit to make things clearer for us. We should always remember that he is not in sight but he is always in heart. THANKS AND HAPPY ASCENSION.