Homily for the Feast of the Ascension

If you have not heard the expression, you certainly have had the experience: “Hurry up and wait.” The stories of Christ that we hear today always make me smile. Jesus is giving us the classic “hurry up and wait” scenario. You are my witnesses to the very ends of the earth, to transform the world to faith. But first, stay here and pray for the Holy Spirit . . .

Our first reading today comes from Acts. This book is the sequel to Luke’s Gospel. Here he tells the story of Jesus’ ascension to heaven and the prediction that Jesus will return in the same way at the end of time. From here the waiting for the Holy Spirit begins. It is not surprising that those present expect Israel to be restored to independent national status. Nevertheless, Jesus’ answer shows the first phase of restoration to be of a different nature (Spiritual). When will it be finished? By what times and by what steps, he simply does not say.

In our second reading Paul relates some objectives of our shared lives in Christ. By God’s grace we are to attain a maturer knowledge of God in three ways:

• In spiritual growth as those whom God has called
• The “glorious inheritance” of the Jews that is being shared with the Gentile Christians
• Experiencing the tremendous power of God as he works in their lives

In the Gospel story we just heard, Jesus gives his last commission to his followers and his last instructions. Proclaim repentance and forgiveness in Jesus’ name to all nations. But, first, wait here until you are filled with the Holy Spirit. In essence he charges the disciples (and other followers) with preaching the good news to all people. They are his “witnesses.” The Holy Spirit will be with them, as God promised.

So, we get ready for the mission but wait for the Spirit . . .

Like the first disciples, we must begin our journey by praying for a renewal in the Holy Spirit. As we make our physical journey from this Sunday to the Next, our journey to Pentecost, we need to make the spiritual journey a very intentional endeavor. Praying daily for renewal in the Spirit. Praying for the grace we need to accept and enact or part of the mission to share the good things we have received in Christ.

In the last few months my studies brought me to some very new demographic statistics about religion in America. Fifty percent of our population has no religious affiliation what so ever. The vast majority of that 50% have been unchurched for multiple generations. We can no longer afford to sit here as today’s readings go by us and assume that the mission of Christ is done in the USA. We are not the Christian nation that we once were. We who believe in and follow Christ, must hear the Holy Spirit’s renewed call and move the mission of the Church forward in whatever way we can.

So, in the next week, I call on all of us to pray for the grace of renewal in our faith. Asking God to help us see more clearly the role he has in mind for us at St. Stephen’s.