Sunday Gospel Reflection
Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord
Mark 16:15-20
We will Rise!
Bro. JM Nuqui
Campus Minister
There was a story about an unfinished painting by Leonardo da Vinci. He was once working on a large canvas in his studio. Just as how we try to imagine it, da Vinci painted beautifully and majestically, applying all the sketches and strokes gracefully. Until he suddenly stopped in the middle of the process. He called and asked one of his students to finish the painting. Out of fear and feeling of unworthiness, the student declined his master. But da Vinci silenced him saying, “Will not what I have done inspire you to do your best?”
My dear brothers and sisters, today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. What initially looks like a story of parting and goodbye is actually one of beginnings and fresh starts. However, though one of hope, we can imagine the fear that enveloped the disciples when Jesus ascended into heaven. They were already fearful and afraid when they were left on their own when Jesus died; what more now that Jesus is “gone for good.” Moreover, “Go and proclaim the Gospel to the whole world” is really overwhelming. How do I begin? Where do I start?
Like how da Vinci challenged his student, we are also called to look at how Jesus lived his life here on earth. Thankfully, we have a person as an index of our faith. You see, my dear friends, even though the Lord’s ascension is an upward movement, we see that He lived his life through many descents, pagbaba, pagnaog. We see this descent in the Incarnation. Nakita natin kung paano bumaba si Hesus sa kung nasaan ang mga tao. He always met people where they are – dining with tax collectors, fishing with ordinary men, healing the sick. In fact, he often meets them at their lowest, worst, darkest points. At hindi rito nagtatapos. We see how Jesus meets them, takes them with him, and raises them towards the better, healthier, and brighter.
And that’s the beauty of the Ascension. It wasn’t only an event in history, for Jesus takes us up with Him in His Ascension. All the time. Kaya siguro palagi tayong nakakabangon sa kabila ng kahit anong hirap at sakit na ating dinaraanan sa buhay. Because the Ascension is God’s gift and presence in us. It is the very grace that makes us capable of rising above every descent, every fall we take. Kung paano tayo palaging binabangon ng Muling Pagkabuhay ni Hesus, ganoon din tayo palaging inaangat ng Kanyang Pag-akyat sa langit.
Isn’t it an Ascension experience when our frontliners continue to give their all lest we fall into the threats of this pandemic? Isn’t it Ascension when we see an outburst of generosity, through the community pantries, in a time when people tend to hoard for themselves? Isn’t it Ascension when our parents and loved ones never give up so as to raise and lift us up from our life’s burden and difficulties?
My dear brothers and sisters, if ever you regularly attend our masses here in the parish – whether physically or through the livestream – you’ll notice an offertory song that’s usually sung by Bro. Kenneth and Bro. Mark. And I’d like to end this reflection with a line from the song. May this always remind us of the gift and grace of the Lord’s Ascension.
When we eat this bread and in You believe,
We become Whom we receive.
And from death and strife, we will rise!
We will rise!
Not death, not life, none on earth or above
Will ever separate us from your love!
We will rise!
