May 17, 2026
The Ascension of the Lord
ACTS 1:1-11; PS 47:2-3, 6-9; EPH 1:17-23; MT 28:16-20
Today we celebrate the great feast of the Ascension of our Lord — that moment when Jesus, 40 days after His Resurrection, was lifted up into heaven as the apostles watched in stunned amazement. It is recounted in both our first reading from Acts and our Gospel from Matthew. It must have been an extraordinary thing to witness.
Yet the first reading makes clear that the apostles were not meant to remain there, simply gazing upward. “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky?” In other words — do not just stand there. Do something.
This is a message for us as Christian stewards. We have been given countless graces — through the Mass and the sacraments, through the Word of God, and through the many gifts and blessings entrusted to us in daily life. We have been given our time, our talents, our material resources, and the opportunities God places before us each day. Like the apostles, we are not meant to simply receive these gifts and remain unchanged. We are called to put them into action in love and gratitude to the One Who gave them to us.
The Ascension, then, is not an ending, but a commissioning. Before returning to the Father, Jesus entrusts His mission to His disciples. “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations.” This call is not reserved for a select few — it is given to every Christian. In our homes, our parish communities, our workplaces, and our daily encounters, we are called to be witnesses to Christ. We do this not only through words, but through the witness of a life lived with faith, generosity, and love — offering our time, talent, and treasure in service to God and to others.
Our second reading reminds us of the greatness of the God we serve. St. Paul speaks of “the surpassing greatness of His power” — the same power that raised Christ from the dead and placed Him above all things. This is the God Who calls us to this mission. And He does not ask us to rely on our own strength alone. Stewardship is not simply about what we can accomplish — it is about cooperating with God’s grace at work within us.
Still, like the apostles, we may hesitate. We may feel uncertain, inadequate, or hesitant to respond fully. The Gospel tells us that when they saw Him, “they worshiped, but they doubted.” Even in their weakness, the Lord did not withdraw His call. Instead, He reassured them: “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Their mission — and ours — rests not on human strength, but on His authority.
Then He gave them their mission — and ours. And He gave them a promise: “I am with you always, until the end of the age.” The One Who sends us also remains with us — strengthening us through His presence, His Word, and His grace.
On this feast of the Ascension, let us take time to “look up” and reflect on the greatness of our God and the many blessings He has entrusted to us. Then let us respond as good stewards — not by standing still, but by putting those gifts to work in grateful service to Him, confident that He is with us always.