May 14 | The Ascension of the Lord

On this day, we remember Jesus’ ascension into heaven 40 days after the Resurrection. 

The feast is celebrated on the Thursday of the sixth week of Easter, which falls exactly 40 days after Easter Sunday.

We hear in the Gospel of Luke that Jesus took his disciples “as far as Bethany, raised his hands, and blessed them. As he blessed them he parted from them and was taken up to heaven.” (Lk 24:50-51)

The feast prompts us to remember  not only Jesus’ ascension, but also the commissioning of the disciples to “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit.” (Mt 28:19) 

As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension, let us call to mind our own mission to go forth and spread the Gospel in our daily lives.