Posted on May 30, 2025 View all Gospel Reflection
“…why are you standing there looking at the sky?”
These words from an angel to the disciples who had accompanied Jesus are a bit humorous. Although to the disciples I am sure this was not very funny. Since they were still awaiting the arrival of the Holy Spirit, they were hopeful that Jesus would now take action and become the real Messiah in their eyes. They had asked Jesus “‘Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?’” (Acts 1:6) It is almost like an “are we here yet?” moment. When I hear that, I am always tempted to say ‘Yes, you can get out now if you like.’ But it is frowned upon to leave kids on the side of the road – even if they get out of the car by their own choice….
Jesus, even at the time of his Ascension must have had these similar thoughts. He had just told them to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high. (Luke 24:49) And yet they were still asking if he was going to be this earthly king! But he knew they needed the gift and power of the Holy Spirit to understand and go forth.
The angels who asked the disciples “why are you standing there looking at the sky?” were probably wondering why the disciples had not gone back to the city. In their minds, the disciples should have rushed back to the city and hope that the Holy Spirit would arrive quickly. They knew for sure that the Holy Spirit was not coming to them on the Mount of Olives.
The location of Jesus’ ascension from the Mount of Olives also connects to the Jewish people. Some scripture scholars have commented that the Jewish people would track the arrival of the new month through the lunar cycle. Because this was subject to interpretation, they set up a special court of three people in the Sanhedrin to decide when the new moon appeared. Once a determination was made, then a fire signal would go out to be seen by all of Israel. They would start with a fire signal at the Mount of Olives. It is not lost on us the connection with the Ascension of Jesus at that place and the imminent arrival of the Holy Spirit like tongues of fire descending on them.
This last signal fire would be the great announcement to the people of Israel and indeed to the entire world that the Messiah had come and fulfilled his mission on earth and that a new reality is possible. It is now possible to enter into heaven and receive the forgiveness of our sins. Jesus prepares the disciples to become his witnesses throughout Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.
What is the important take-away from the Ascension? I would say that it is the testimony and reality that Jesus came to lead us into the New Jerusalem. But Acts reminds us that this New Jerusalem is not a refurbished or restored earthly city in Israel. It is not the temple rebuilt of stones and a wall that is erected once again. In fact, it is not even about building a church. It is rather about the kingdom. The Acts of the Apostles points to this new reality that is beyond earthly existence. The church is but a visible sign of this kingdom. It is not for the church that the Apostles and martyrs gave up their lives. Rather it is for the kingdom where we will one day be united with Christ and all the saints for eternity as the promise made by Jesus is fulfilled: “that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me.” (John 17:22-23) Let this gift of union in Christ and the Heavenly Father be what we receive as we await the arrival of the Holy Spirit.
