We all know that parting words can be very important. When we take leave of someone we love, we may say something that has a very powerful impact on us and them.
For instance, when a child is going away to college, the parents may say, “Don’t forget to call, we love you.” Simple reminders that mean much to young people. Some parents may say, “Well, it’s about time you’re on your own. We can use the extra room!”
If a person is going on a lengthy trip we may tell them, “Be careful. Have a great time. See you soon.”
If friends are being separated for a period of time, they may say to each other, “It’s been fun” or “I’m going to miss you.”
Sometimes parting words can be damaging if so chosen. If a relationship between married partners is ending, a person can say, “Sorry things didn’t work out” or “I’ll always love you” or “Good riddance, see you in court!”
A person who is being terminated by the company may say, “Thanks for nothing” or “Sorry things didn’t work out” or “I appreciate the opportunity to have worked here.”
Sometimes, parting words can be hopeful. General Douglas MacArthur, upon leaving the Philippines said, “I shall return.” Arnold Schwartzenneger said something similar in his Terminator movies, “I’ll be back.”
I always say something nice to Fr. Michael when he’s leaving on one of his many vacations. “Don’t hurry back” or “Don’t worry about me being here alone doing all the work.” He’s always appreciative of those parting comments.
Today’s Feast of the Ascension records the parting words of Jesus to his disciples. We hear that after his Resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples over a period of 40 days. At the end of those forty days, he took them off by themselves where he was then taken by a cloud into the Heavens.
But before he was taken from their sight, he had some things to say to them.
In the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Luke writes that Jesus said, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth.” In the Gospel passage, Jesus says something similar, although in different words, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.” Other Gospels record slightly different words. Matthew has Jesus telling his disciples that they must proclaim the Gospel to the world, baptize people and teach them. Then, he says, “Know that I am with you always until the end of the world.” Luke’s Gospel has Jesus telling his disciples to preach repentance for the remission of sins.’
While those are all powerful words that Jesus says to his disciples before being taken into Heaven, I am of the mind that the departure of Jesus was probably a more tender moment. His disciples were probably tearful and there were most likely gestures of love exchanged between them. That is the human dimension of Jesus’ physical departure. But the words that are given to us are just as touching.
In fact, when you think carefully about the recorded parting words of Jesus to his disciples, they reveal that they are not really parting words. Jesus didn’t say, “Goodbye. It’s been nice working with you.” He did not say, “Listen, I’ve told you everything I can think of so good luck and see you again some day.”
No, every indication is that while Jesus is being removed from them physically or visibly, he is, in fact, remaining with them. “I will be with you always until the end of time.” “Stay here until I send you power from on high.” And so on. Everything Jesus shares with them points to the fact that there is no long goodbye or parting of company. Rather, Jesus is assuring them that he will still be there with them.
Of course, the disciples come to realize how true this is when, a few days later, they receive the power of the Holy Spirit at that first Pentecost. Suddenly, they realize that Jesus is, indeed, with them and living within them by the power of the Spirit. Throughout their early ministry they act and speak with Jesus acting and speaking through them. They understand that he is walking with them. Clearly, then, the Risen and Ascended Jesus has not gone on a long trip but remains with his disciples in a different fashion.
I think we can fall into the trap of believing or, at least feeling, as if Jesus has left us on our own. It is possible to oversimplify the reality of Jesus’ physical departure by thinking that, if he is not here to be seen, then he must be somewhere else. An overly literal understanding of the Scriptures might lead one to conclude that Jesus left the earth, went into Heaven and will make the return trip to us at some point in the future. This one dimensional way of thinking can cause problems for us in our spiritual lives especially if we believe that, until we see Jesus again, we are on our own in this life and in this world.
The words of Jesus reveal that this is not the case. The Risen Christ is with us in a very real, though incomprehensible, way. He does not walk among us as he once did during his earthly ministry: teaching and healing; but he is with us in an even more intimate way by the presence of the Holy Spirit who dwells in the hearts of all who believe. We must remember that we cannot now think of Jesus as a flesh and blood reality like ourselves. To do this is to place limits on how he can be present to us. Rather, we must acknowledge that, in a mysterious way, Jesus is present to us in a Risen and Glorified way— a person who has passed beyond the limits of the physical world but dwells here among us in a new way.
What this means is that we do not go it alone. We are not expected to take up the task of being believers in the world without the divine one walking alongside us and working within us. Jesus is still very much in command of our lives and of the life of this world. It just so happens that we are entrusted with the responsibility of making his presence known in and through our own lives.
The ongoing presence of Christ in our world has powerful implications. It means that anything that is for good comes from his presence. Any change for the better finds it origin in his presence. Any act of justice comes from him. When leaders of nations sit at the table to discuss peaceful relationships, it is Christ’s presence that is the source of that effort. When we find ways of feeding the hungry or of providing affordable housing, it is his presence that makes it possible. When people are reconciled with one another, it is Christ who is active in the process. When we search out creative and compassionate ways of welcoming immigrants, it is Christ doing the work. When we strive to be more understanding of people’s religious or cultural practices, it is the risen and glorified Jesus who is making it possible.
It is when we forget that Jesus is present that we fail in these areas. If Jesus is an absentee landlord, then we are left to our own devices and those efforts usually fall short of their goal.
If we believe that Jesus is somewhere else waiting until things get bad enough before making a grand return, then it becomes natural for us embrace cynicism and to stop trying to change things for the better. That is when we hear people saying, “Well, the world is going to hell in a handbasket” and “we have to do what we have to do.” Those are words which betray a belief that Jesus is not really capable of changing things for the better.
The parting words of Jesus are clear “I am with you always until the end of the world.” Jesus is not a passive spectator in world events. He is an active participant and desires that we recognize his ability to move us along the path of peace, love and justice.
So, as we observe the reality of Jesus’ Ascension, we celebrate his abiding presence in our world. Let us make that presence known by entrusting ourselves to his care and by turning to him for the answers we seek. Once we allow Christ to walk freely among us, then we will see that he never left us in the first place.