He was lifted-up while they looked on.
Jesus returns to the home of the Father. The Age of the Spirit draws near. The birth of the Church is imminent. As He slips beyond the clouds, we get a glimpse of our final destination. His leaving is not abandonment but rather, the ultimate act of faith in us. D’imigh Sé romhainn; níor imigh Sé uainn. His mission is now in our hands, flawed as we are. This is a feast that speaks of the constant rhythm of beginnings and endings, points to our destiny and amazes us at the prodigal trust of the Saviour in the potential of His brothers and sisters.

The Unfinished Picture
Leonardo da Vinci had started work on a large canvas in his studio. For a while he worked at it, choosing the subject, planning the perspective, sketching the outline, applying the colours. Then one day he stopped, summoned one of his talented students and invited him to complete the work. When the horrified student protested that he was both unworthy and unable to complete the great painting, da Vinci replied: ‘will not what I have done inspire you to do your best’? Jesus began to spread the Good News two thousand years ago by what He said, did and suffered. He illustrated His message and left us to complete the picture. Will not His life inspire us to complete the picture? This is the message of the Ascension.