The Reign of God 

Acts 1: 1-11 tells us that after his resurrection, Jesus spent forty days appearing to his apostles and “speaking about the reign of God.” We don’t know what he said, but the apostles must not have understood, because just before Jesus ascended, they still thought he was going to set up a government in Israel supported by divine power! “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” 

Jesus didn’t answer; he just kept telling them to “wait”—wait for the “fulfillment of my Father’s promise,” wait to be “baptized with the Holy Spirit,” wait to “receive power when the Holy Spirit comes down on you.” Then “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” The kingdom is going to be established by divine power but working through human weakness. It will be the power of the Holy Spirit who enlightens and motivates them; a Spirit not of coercion and force, but of conversion through truth and love.  

This should have told them already that the establishment of God’s reign over every human heart was going to take a long time! When we pray, “Thy kingdom come!” we are praying, “Thy will be done on earth as in heaven.” God’s reign will not be complete until everyone really wants this. 

At God’s Right Hand  

Ephesians 1: 17-23 tells us that in God’s time frame, Jesus is already reigning. God has “seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion… not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.” This is what the Ascension says: in Jesus, “God mounts his throne to shouts of joy.” The man the apostles ate and drank and walked the dusty roads with, the man they saw crucified in weakness, is now seated at God’s right hand in glory, and all power is his now—and forever. St. Paul writes this so that the “eyes of your heart may be enlightened,” and “you may know what the hope to which he has called you is…  and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe.” “God mounts his throne to shouts of joy.” Our joy is the joy of our hope. 

“Go therefore…”  

We need hope, unshakeable hope, because in Matthew 28: 16-20 Jesus tells the apostles and us: “Go make disciples of all nations, baptizing them… teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”  

That is hardly a modest undertaking! But Jesus empowers us with the words, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me…. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the world.” Jesus ascended, not to leave us, but to remain with us, in every member of his body on earth who is animated by his Spirit. With us, in us, and through us, Jesus continues to “go about all the cities and villages, teaching … and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness” (Matthew 4:23; 9:35). This is his ministry. He will continue it in his body, the Church, until the reign of God is established in every heart that accepts him. Then he will “come again,” his triumph revealed in the emergent glory of his body, his glory shining in diversified beauty through each and every member of the human race who has become a transparent vessel of God’s own life and love. 

Jesus ascends to make this happen. He ascends to send down the Holy Spirit. The Church professes her faith and hope in prayer: “Send forth your Spirit, and our hearts will be regenerated.”  

The readings for today are a lot to deal with! Taken together, they call us to “await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.” But this is an active waiting: we don’t just stand around waiting for it to happen; we are sent to make it happen. 

Today’s Psalm (#47) calls for celebration: “God mounts his throne to shouts of joy; a blare of trumpets for the Lord!”  

Prayer Prompt:  What does it mean to me that Jesus ascended into heaven? Does it have any influence on my life and on the decisions I make today? Can I resolve to let Christ grow “to full stature” in me (Ephesians 4:13), and dedicate myself to a lifestyle that bears witness, so that I can help bring Christ to “full stature” throughout the human race? 

— Fr. David M. Knight

View today’s Mass readings, Lectionary #58, on the USCCB website here

Fr. David M. Knight (1931-2021) was a priest of the Diocese of Memphis in Tennessee, a prolific writer, and a highly sought after confessor, spiritual director, and retreat master. He authored more than 40 books and hundreds of articles that focus primarily on lay spirituality and life-long spiritual growth.