Happy Feast of the Ascension! Today, May 17, 2026, we celebrate one of the most pivotal moments in the life of the Church. It’s a day that can sometimes feel a little bittersweet if we don't look at it through the right lens. After all, on the surface, it looks like Jesus is leaving. But as we dive into the readings for today, Acts 1:1-11 and Matthew 28:16-20, we see that the Ascension isn’t about a departure; it’s about a new, powerful way of being present.
In the Pontifical Mission Societies, we often call this the "founding day" of the missions. It is the moment the training wheels came off for the disciples and the moment the global mission of the Church truly began. If you’ve ever felt like you’re just "standing there" waiting for a sign, today’s liturgy has a very specific message for you.
Looking Up and Moving Out
In our first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, we get a front-row seat to the action. Jesus has spent forty days with His disciples after the Resurrection, preparing them for what’s next. Then, right before their eyes, He is lifted up, and a cloud takes Him out of their sight.
Now, put yourself in the sandals of the Apostles for a second. You’ve been through the emotional ringer: the horror of the Crucifixion, the shock and joy of the Resurrection, and now, the person you love most is floating away into the sky. What do you do? You stand there. You stare. You probably have your mouth hanging open.
This is when the angels show up with one of the most practical, slightly humorous questions in the entire Bible: "Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky?"
It’s such a human moment. The angels are essentially saying, "The show is over here, but the work is starting out there." They remind the disciples that Jesus will return in the same way, but in the meantime, there is a job to do.
The Ascension doesn’t mean Jesus is "gone" to some far-off place where He can’t hear us. In Catholic theology, we understand that by taking His seat at the right hand of the Father, Jesus is now present in a way that transcends time and space. When He was on earth, He could only be in one town at a time. Now, through the Holy Spirit and the life of the Church, He is present in every tabernacle, every soul in a state of grace, and every act of charity performed in His name.
But for that presence to be felt by the world, we have to stop staring at the sky. We have to move out.
The Great Commission: A Mandate, Not a Suggestion
If the first reading is about the "why," the Gospel from Matthew is about the "how." We call this passage "The Great Commission."
Jesus meets the eleven disciples on the mountain in Galilee. Note that Matthew mentions "they worshiped, but they doubted." Isn't that encouraging? Even the people standing right in front of the Risen Lord had their moments of hesitation. Jesus doesn't wait for them to be perfect or to have 100% certainty before He gives them the mission.
He says: "Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you."
Notice the verbs: Go. Make. Baptize. Teach.
Jesus doesn't say, "If you feel like it," or "If the weather is nice," or "If it’s culturally convenient." He gives a command. This is the heart of the Church’s mission. We aren't a social club or a historical society; we are a missionary people. The joy of the Ascension is the joy of being trusted with the greatest news in human history.
Authority and Presence
One of the things that can make us "stand there" paralyzed is fear. We look at the world, we look at our own limitations, and we think, "How am I supposed to make a difference?"
Jesus answers that fear before He even gives the command. He starts by saying, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."
When we go out to share the Gospel, whether that’s by supporting a mission overseas or by talking to a neighbor, we aren't doing it on our own authority. We aren't trying to "sell" a product or convince people of our own opinions. We are ambassadors for the King of the Universe.
And then comes the best part: the promise. "And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age."
He is the one doing the work through us. The Ascension is the bridge to Pentecost. Jesus "goes up" so the Holy Spirit can "come down." It’s this divine exchange that fuels everything we do. We are never alone in the mission.
The Upper Room: Action Fueled by Prayer
If your specific diocese is celebrating the Seventh Sunday of Easter today instead of the Ascension (as some places do), the readings take us back to the Upper Room. We see the disciples gathered with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and they are praying.
This is a vital lesson for all of us. All our "going" must be fueled by "staying." Before the disciples could go to the ends of the earth, they had to wait in prayer for the power of the Holy Spirit.
In our busy lives, we can fall into the trap of "activism", trying to do everything for God without actually spending time with God. The Joy of the Ascension is a balanced joy. It’s the excitement of the mission tempered by the peace of prayer. We stay in the "Upper Room" of our hearts so that when we do step out, we are carrying the true fire of the Spirit, not just our own frantic energy.
Connecting the Ascension to the Society of St. Peter the Apostle (SPA)
So, how does this relate to us here at the Pontifical Mission Societies?
The Ascension is essentially the "founding day" of the missions. When Jesus said "to all nations," He was talking about the very places where the Society of St. Peter the Apostle (SPA) works today.
Think about a young man in a remote village in Nigeria, or a religious sister in a bustling city in Vietnam. They have heard the command to "Go," and they have answered it. But they need the "Upper Room" of support to make it happen.
The Society of St. Peter the Apostle focuses specifically on the formation of local clergy and religious in mission territories. These seminarians and novices are the literal "feet" of the Gospel. They are the ones who will stay in their communities, baptize the children, teach the faith, and bring the presence of Jesus to people who have never heard His name.
When you support SPA, you are fulfilling the Great Commission. You are making sure that no one is left "just standing there looking at the sky." You are providing the books, the food, the housing, and the spiritual support that allows a local priest to say "Yes" to Jesus’ command. In a sense, your generosity is the wind beneath the wings of the mission. You are helping the Church "move out" into the world.
Reflection: Where Are You Called to Go?
As we celebrate this glorious feast, let’s take a moment to reflect on our own lives.
- Where is Jesus calling you to "go" today? Mission doesn’t always involve a plane ticket. Sometimes the "nation" Jesus wants you to visit is the person sitting across from you at the dinner table, or the co-worker who is going through a hard time.
- Are you "just standing there"? Is there a conversation you’ve been putting off? A prayer habit you’ve been meaning to start? An act of charity you’ve been hesitant to commit to?
- Do you trust His presence? When you feel overwhelmed by the mission of being a Christian in a complex world, do you stop to remember that He is "with you always"?
The Joy of the Ascension is the confidence that we serve a King who has already won the battle and who lives within us to continue His work.
Conclusion
"Go, therefore, and make disciples."
Let’s take that command to heart this week. Whether it’s through a simple prayer for the missions, a donation to help a seminarian through the Society of St. Peter the Apostle, or a kind word to a stranger, let’s be a people on the move.
Thank you for being such a vital part of our global mission. You are the prayerful support that makes the work of the Church possible. Please keep our mission students: the future priests and sisters of the world: in your prayers as they follow Jesus’ call to the ends of the earth.
May the joy of the Ascended Lord fill your heart and give you the courage to take that next step in faith. He is with us always!
For more information on how you can support our mission seminarians, visit us at www.fraugustinedejidada.org.