This Thursday marks the 40th day since Easter and is the traditional date for the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord. The celebration of that feast has been moved to the following Sunday, to make it possible for more people to make it to Mass. I will write more in next week’s bulletin but want to give a little information about the feast this week.
    
After 40 days, Jesus gathered with His Apostles on the Mount of Olives. This was the day on which His earthly ministry would be completed, and He would return to the right hand of the Father in Heaven. He gave to them His final words, which we call the Great Commission: “Go, 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 carry out all that I have commanded you. And know that I am with you always until the end of the age.” Jesus was then lifted up before them and entered into the cloud that always represents the presence of God.
    
The Ascension of the Lord is often seen as the graduation ceremony of the Church. Jesus entrusted His mission to the Twelve, and to those who would come after them. But He made it very clear that He was not abandoning us but would be with us always until the end of the age.