Don’t you wonder what really happened on that day? Today we hear the story of the ascension Jesus has taken up to heaven. And I have to wonder, what really happened? Were the disciples left there scratching their head wondering what just happened, or did they clearly understand? We really don’t know. But what we do know and what we believe in faith is what we heard today in the scripture. Jesus gathered with his disciples, he blessed them, and then he was taken from them, and he was ascended into heaven.

Now, we might ask ourselves, “Isn’t that Jesus’ rightful place to be with God in heaven?” And the answer I think is, “Yes and no.” Yes, Jesus deserves to be with God in heaven. But we must also remember, as we listen to these stories, that Jesus was one with us, one like us. And so God sent Jesus to be a sign of His mercy, His love, His compassion in the world. And his attitude, his actions, his love, his peace, his reconciliation, all in the name of God his father. These things are what changed the world. So yes, Jesus does deserve his rightful place with God in heaven. But Jesus also desires a rightful place in us.

So today as we remember and celebrate the ascension of Jesus, let’s also remember as we gather around this Eucharistic table that Jesus wants to be living in us through our words and deeds, through our compassion, through our mercy, through our service to another. Each time we make a decision to do these things in the name of Jesus, we give honor to Jesus, living with his father in heaven, but also Jesus who desires to be living in us.