Horizons Filled with Possibilities–the Feast of the Ascension–Year A

My Sisters and Brothers:

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension of our Lord.  I find it very interesting Jesus ascended into heaven from the Mount of Olives, part of modern-day “East Jerusalem” overlooking Mount Zion, the former site of the Second Jewish Temple (destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD).  To this day, and for many reasons, these “mountains” dominating the City of Jerusalem are profoundly sacred places within Judaism, Islam, and Christianity.  And like them, and as we ascend the lofty heights of other “mountains” on the earth, we might actually feel “closer to heaven, and nearer to God.”  Such places also give us glimpses into “horizons filled with possibilities!”  So I think there’s no coincidence Jesus told his disciples from the perspective of a mountain top “to go and make disciples of all nations” (see today’s Gospel, Matthew 28:16-20).

If you like me love to travel to the top of mountains, you know how enjoyable it is to visit beautiful scenic overlooks found at such “heights.”  In those places, it’s easy for us to experience a sense of majesty, awe, and sanctity!  When I was a college student at Mount Saint Mary’s in Emmitsburg, Maryland, I would often take peaceful and inspiring hikes up to the top of the adjoining mountain; of course those trips always included reflective stops at the Mount’s “National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes.”  At an overlook, adjacent to the grotto, there’s a posted plaque with the following exuberant words from the writings of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton: “We are half in the sky; the height of our situation is incredible.”  Seton wrote the words while living at that very site after first arriving in Emmitsburg in 1809.  When I’ve been there, and when I’ve reflected on her words, it’s been easy for me to understand the lofty sentiments she expressed!  Somehow up in the altitudes it seems we are closer to God!  And somehow from those heights, the world seems like a place of endless possibilities!  Oh how Scriptural such sentiments can be!

The Bible is certainly filled with many examples of sacred heights.  In it there are many stories involving mountains (the several listed below are not all in chronological order).  On Mount Sinai Moses received the Ten Commandments (see Exodus 19-20, 24).  On Mount Zion King David established the City of David, where eventually the Solomon's Temple would be built (see 2 Samuel 5:1-10 and 1 Kings 8:1.  This is the site of the modern day “Temple Mount” where the al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock stand today).  On Mount Carmel Elijah invoked God’s power and miraculously started a fire of sacrifice in opposition to the prophets of the false god Baal (see 1 Kings 18).  From New Testament accounts, King David’s Mount Zion is also believed to have been the location of the “Upper Room” where Jesus celebrated the “Last Supper” and instituted the Eucharist (cf., 1 Corinthians 11:23-25); it’s believed it was also the location where Jesus dramatically appeared to the Apostles after the Resurrection (cf. John 20:19-23), and it’s likewise thought to be the location where the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples at Pentecost (cf. Acts 2:1–6).  On the Mount of the Beatitudes Jesus delivered the “Sermon on the Mount” (see Matthew 5, 6,7); this same place is also thought to be the “mountain in Galilee” where Jesus also appeared to the disciples after the Resurrection (see Matthew 28:16-20).  On Mount Tabor Jesus was transfigured into glory, and he was seen with Moses and Elijah by the apostles Peter, James and John (see Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:2-8 and Luke 9:28-36).  On the Mount of Olives Jesus experienced the Agony in the Garden (see Luke 22:39-49 and Acts 1:9-12).  On Mount Calvary Jesus was crucified, died, was buried, and then rose from the dead.  Subsequently, and returning to the Mount of Olives, Jesus Ascended into heaven, the Feast we celebrate today!

And so as we recall the Ascension, and Jesus’ command to his disciples “to go and make disciples of all nations,” let’s respond faithfully!  As the disciples went up to the “mountain in Galilee,” and then again up the Mount of Olives with the Lord, and in those places and without doubt felt “closer to heaven, and nearer to God,” they also understood the great earthly responsibilities charged to them by Jesus on those mountains.  As heirs to those disciples, we share their vocations to venture out into those same “horizons filled with possibilities,” and we’re called make a difference in our world today!  My friends, let’s respond to this charge of Jesus with enthusiasm and with joy!

Praise God!  Friar Timothy


     Find me on Facebook by clicking on the following link: http://www.facebook.com/frayteo