Scripture Reflections for the Ascension of the Lord

Year C, Lectionary 58


Hate feeling lost on Sundays at church? Searching for a better explanation of the Bible than what you hear from your pastor's sermon? Check out the following collection of audio, video, and text commentaries from various Christian experts for a better understanding of today's scripture that deal with: AngelAscensionBeginningBodyCloudConnectedDiscipleDivineEndExodusForgiveGrowthHeavenHoly SpiritHopeJourneyJoyKingdomLoveMercyMissionPeacePriestSacredSacrificeSightSinTempleTransfigurationWitnessWorship

Acts 1:1-11

“If you read the New Testament in light of the Old Testament you'll notice that the number 40 is a very significant number and whenever you see the number 40, especially 40 days and 40 nights, it always refers to two things: it's a time of transition and it's a time of purification and preparation”

"The Ascension: Why 40 Days?" | Brant Pitre |
Psalm 47:2-3, 6-9
Hebrews 9:24-28; 10:19-23 or
Ephesians 1:17-23

“the Ascension is an essential...part of the Paschal mystery because it takes the historical event of the passion and brings it into eternity”

"The Ascension" | Brant Pitre |

“what Paul is trying to say here in Ephesians 1 is that when Christ ascended into heaven he wasn't simply vindicated as the Messiah, he was also exalted in his humanity, this is really crucial, above all of the angels”

"Human Nature and the Angelic Powers" | Brant Pitre |
Overall Readings

“by saying that Jesus was appearing and instructing his Apostles for a period of 40 days after his resurrection Luke was in a way saying that the Apostles...had the right to speak in his name, they had the right now to repeat his teaching and to spread his message”

Fr. Emmanuel Ochigbo | May 15, 2023

“it is hard but you have to go in order to grow and that is how life is. Many times you have to give up some forms of comfort in order to gain something greater.”

Fr. Emmanuel Ochigbo |

“If they continue to raise their eyes up to Heaven instead of looking forward to the Christ in their midst they will miss the point”

Gretchen Crowder |

“every time we allow Jesus to ascend and expand we find our own souls ascending and expanding and becoming something much greater than we could have ever imagined or dreamed of”

Fr. Mark E. Thibodeaux, SJ |

“Jesus is not the toned beautiful white man we see in much of our art. Jesus was wounded, hurt and scarred...it is this wounded body that was seen as holy enough to enter Heaven. Likewise, our bodies are holy too”

Emily Sanna |

“So when Luke tells us that a cloud took Jesus from their sight he's not talking about a vertical lift off into space. He's telling us that Jesus is moving from one dimension of God's creation to another.”

"A cloud took him from their sight" | Fr. Geoffrey Plant |

“is this world different because you were born and baptized? Is this world different because you are the presence of the risen Lord in the world?”

Monsignor Raymond East |

“The scripture, however, make it clear that the followers of Jesus are called to not stand out and gaze in the sky looking for Jesus to come back but they're called to be active members in the mission of the Christ in this world”

Fr. Tony Ricard |