Jesus Ascends to the Father: Ascension Sunday Year A
Sermon by Emmanuel Suntheni OSB – Ascension of The Lord Sunday
Sermon And Christian Act In The Word
Theme: Jesus Ascends to the Father! Authority and Power is given! Christ teaches us the right use of Power and Authority!
Point of Reflection: The feast of the Ascension celebrates the successful completion of Jesus’ mission of bringing God’s kingdom into the world, and of opening the path to salvation to all humanity. Jesus used power and authority from the Father to bring salvation to the people. As Christians, where are we getting power and authority? And how are we using power and authority in our families and communities? As believers, we truly need to proclaim the good news by following the footsteps of Jesus Christ. Then, we can acclaim their saving Lord with the Psalmist’s words, “sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises”
First Reading: Acts 1:1–11
Psalm: Psalm 47:2–3, 6–9
Second Reading: Ephesians 1:17–23
Gospel: Matthew 28:16–20
Sermon (Reflection): The Feast of the Ascension celebrates Jesus’ ascent to God’s side in heaven. This event completes Jesus’ mission on earth, and confirms him as the glorified Lord of all creation, with absolute authority over all that God has made. The liturgy of this feast draws attention to the issue of the right use of authority and power, themes which occur repeatedly in today’s readings.
The first reading covers the opening section of the book of Acts. The focus in the reading, however, rests on Jesus’ departure, his ascension. The ascension, and Jesus’ subsequent enthronement at God’s side, should be seen as essential to the foundation of the Church. This is so because the Holy Spirit, whose presence would empower the disciples to carry out their mission to the ends of the earth, would be sent upon the disciples by Jesus, after his ascent to the Father.
Thus, the ascension was the necessary precondition for the sending of the Spirit whose presence, in turn, became the starting point for the Church.
The issues of authority and power arise in this context. Jesus’ ascent to heaven placed him at God’s side. This act, called the “enthronement”, signifies that Jesus received divine authority. But Luke shows that Jesus intended to delegate this authority to his disciples who would remain on earth. Even before his departure to the Father, Jesus instructed the disciples to remain in Jerusalem, and wait patiently for the gift of the Spirit. He promised that they would receive the power of the Holy Spirit, and thereby be empowered with the strength and authority that comes from Jesus himself. Jesus fulfilled this promise as the glorified Lord.
Importantly, Jesus did not appear to consider the disciples as mere tools to carry out his commands, but rather as participants in his divine authority.
This delegation and sharing of his power took place through the Holy Spirit.
Analysing the events in the first reading of today, differences between how God’s authority was exercised in the Old Testament, and then after Jesus’ ascension, come to light. In the Old Testament, God usually issued direct commands which were carried out swiftly and unquestionably by his servants. But after the coming of the Holy Spirit, God acted through the people who would carry out his will of their own accord, directed and empowered by the Holy Spirit. It could be said that the Holy Spirit enables people to act on behalf of God in the world. This was made possible by Jesus’ incarnation as a human being, and the subsequent transformation of human hearts by the continuing guidance of the Spirit. Jesus, the glorified Lord, did not jealously guard his power and authority but shared it with his disciples and, subsequently, with his other followers.
In the second reading, the letter to the Ephesians is a masterly exposition on the Church and its nature, with a deep reflection on the foundation and nature of the Christian community. The author has focused on the issue of power. He writes about “the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe. God exercised this power in and through Jesus first by raising him from the dead, and, subsequently, bringing him to his right hand and making him the glorified Lord with authority over all creation.
This brief but extraordinarily rich passage ends with a description of the Church as the body of Christ. It is a remarkable image. Christ holds the supreme authority. But he exercises it not through an authoritarian imposition of his will but through the harmonious union that exists between the head and the body.
This harmony and inclusion are perhaps best described by the word “love”. The supreme authority and power exercised by Christ on behalf of God is the power of an all-permeating love that governs in order to sustain and direct.
The conclusion of the Gospel of Matthew is often called “the great commission” as the disciples are sent on a mission to all nations. However, once again the issue of authority is present. Even though Matthew does not describe Jesus’ ascension, the disciples’ act of worshipping him and the words, “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me”, unquestionably present Jesus as the glorified Lord over all creation. His command to make disciples of all nations by baptism discloses the way in which Jesus wants his power and authority to be used. By baptism the disciples are to bring people into the community of believers, thus ensuring their salvation.
Jesus assures the disciples of his enduring presence while they carry out this task. Their work will be Jesus’ work and Jesus’ power will be their power. Jesus used and now shares this authority and power for the salvation of all humankind.
Christian Act in Word of God “power plus authority equals love”
Today in our scriptural readings, we encounter God’s equation, “power plus authority equals love”, and this is contrary to the way many of us have experienced power and authority. Sadly, the dominant equation in our society is, “power plus authority equals control, fear and abuse”. This equation is destructive wherever and whenever it is applied, whether in the private sphere such as the family home, or in public spheres such as schools, workplaces and politics. Children have been harmed by authoritative and abusive parents, and entire nations destroyed by dictatorial power of hungry and egocentric politicians.
These experiences of abuse of power make it difficult for many of us to imagine that anything good and life-giving can come from those with power and authority.
Despite this dominant view, there are instances in history when leaders have sacrificed their lives for the liberation of their nations. Sadly, their legacy has often not continued and political power has lost its sacrificial role for the common good. Similarly, some children have flourished because of the sacrificial love, power and authority of parents. These examples of alternatives to the dominant power equation enable us to understand better God’s equation.
We have so far discussed how other people have used power and authority. Now, we will reflect on how we use the power and authority that we have. We may think that because we do not have positions of power in our workplaces or in politics we have no power or authority whatsoever. In truth, we all have power and authority over someone. The message in today’s readings contains an invitation to embrace God’s equation of power and authority and replicate it in our lives. That kind of power is desperately needed in our world.
Finally, we certainly have authority over our own lives. We choose what to do with our time, how to manage our bodies, how to relate to others. This authority, even if not complete, allows us to shape our destiny and influence others. It is within our power to mould ourselves into the persons we decide to be. We can also exert influence over others. Whenever we do so, we must keep in mind how Jesus used his power and authority. This will save and prevent us from committing abuses of power and authority that so badly damage ourselves, our planet and communities.
The temptations that come with power and authority are so great that, left to ourselves, we would not be able to implement the power equation of God with our own powers.
Fortunately, we are not left alone but have the Holy Spirit as a constant companion to empower and guide us.
The Holy Spirit invites us to share in God’s power and follow the example of Jesus’ life of love and sacrifice. As we celebrate the feast of the Ascension of Jesus we are reminded of God’s equation of power in the life and mission of Jesus, who healed, liberated and brought salvation to all. He did not use this power to escape the challenges of life, but rather to confront and overcome these through the cross and resurrection.
Action: I will pray for myself and leaders to understand the right use of power and authority.
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, today we celebrate your ascension to the Father, and you are teaching us today the right use of power and authority among ourselves. As we wait for the coming of the Holy Spirit, may we be filled with love as we pray for ourselves and leaders who misuse power and authority for personal gains, give us the spirit of love and understanding so that whatever we do as the church, families, and countries may be of glory to God, Amen.
- Listen to the Will of God: 2nd Sunday of Lent - February 27, 2026
- Life-Giving Obedience: First Sunday Of Lent - February 20, 2026
- Christ-Shaped Hearts: 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time - February 13, 2026
