Ascension of the Lord, Year C (May 29 or June 1, 2025)

Way back in the last century when I was an altar boy, I have a distinct memory of serving Mass on Ascension Thursday. At the end of the Gospel, one of us was charged with extinguishing the very tall Paschal Candle – not an easy task for a 5-foot-4 5th grader! The idea behind this liturgical gesture was that the Easter season ended on the Ascension. That custom changed with the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council. The Easter season now extends all the way to Pentecost Sunday.

Yes, we’re still in Easter and still celebrating the resurrection of the Lord on this Ascension Day. But before we get into the readings, let’s talk about the dynamics of the day itself.

The Solemnity of the Ascension traditionally takes place 40 days after Easter, which puts it on a spring Thursday, when several dioceses in the United States celebrate it. However, in recent years, the United States Bishops have allowed the liturgical celebration of the Ascension to be transferred to what would normally be the 7th Sunday of Easter, and many, if not most, of the dioceses in the USA do it that way.

My point is this: If you have any questions about when the Ascension is celebrated in your diocese, please ask your pastor, or consult with your local Office of Worship.

We’re focusing on the Gospel of Luke in Year C, and one of the key characteristics of this evangelist is his focus on ministry: the ministry of Jesus and the ministry of his disciples. Unlike Matthew, Luke wrote to a Gentile audience who was not well versed in Jewish tradition. We see this especially in Luke’s sequel, the Acts of the Apostles, that traces the journey of Paul in bringing the Good News out west, from the land of Israel, through Greece and eventually to Rome and, through his writings, to the world. 

In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives this farewell address to his apostles: “Behold, I am sending the promise of the Father upon you.” This commission continues in the First Reading in Acts chapter 1, when Jesus enjoins his apostles to wait for “the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak.” These are puzzling words, and the apostles could only gawk at the sky as their Lord was taken up to heaven to his Father. 

But notice how two men in white garments (angels?) stood beside them and said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky?” I see this passage as a challenge. Don’t just stand there gawking. Get to work! Get on with the ministry that Jesus entrusted to you!

Jesus knew his apostles would need the gift of the Holy Spirit to carry out his ministry. The Spirit is the “promise” mentioned in the Gospel and in Acts. Easter joy continues! During these days between Ascension and Pentecost, let us pray that we be renewed once again by the Holy Spirit we received at our Baptism and Confirmation. Jesus is counting on us to continue his ministry to the world!