Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As the Church celebrates the Feast of the Ascension, we are reminded that Jesus did not simply “leave” His disciples behind. The Ascension is not an ending, but a commissioning. Before returning to the Father, Christ entrusted His followers with a mission: to go forth and proclaim the Gospel to all nations. What must have felt like a moment of loss for the disciples became the beginning of their deeper trust in God’s presence.

The same is true for us today. We sometimes look for God only in dramatic signs or extraordinary moments, yet the Ascension teaches us that Christ remains with us in a new and powerful way. He is present in His Word, in the Eucharist, in the Church, and in the quiet movements of grace within our daily lives. The disciples could no longer walk beside Jesus physically, but they were strengthened by the promise of the Holy Spirit and sent out with courage and purpose.

The Feast of the Ascension invites us to lift our eyes beyond fear, discouragement, and distraction. Christ ascends not to abandon humanity, but to open the way to heaven for us. He calls each of us to live as witnesses of hope in our families, workplaces, schools, and communities. Our faith is not meant to remain private or passive; it is meant to transform the world through acts of mercy, forgiveness, and love.

As we celebrate this feast, may we remember that the mission of the Church continues through us. Strengthened by prayer and guided by the Holy Spirit, may we carry the presence of Christ into the world with joyful hearts and steadfast faith.

Love,

Fr. Jason