The Ascension of the Lord
A MISSION FROM THE MOUNTAIN
Matthew is the only one of the evangelists who doesnot speak explicitly of or recount the departure of Jesus
from his followers. Mark and Luke recount the Ascension,
each in his own way; and John consistently has Jesus speak
of the necessity of his departure so the Paraclete might
come. Matthew situates his final scene for Jesus on top of a
mountain in Galilee (not outside Jerusalem, as Luke does).
This is the region where his mission originated, and
throughout his Gospel the mountaintop has been the place
for him to teach his followers. (We are familiar with the
“Sermon on the Mount” from Matthew.) And here Jesus
re-echoes those Ascension themes we hear from the other
evangelists: It is Jesus himself, risen and glorified, charged
with power from the Father, who sends us out; it is Jesus
himself who gives us our mission to baptize, heal, teach,
and proclaim the Good News of salvation; it is Jesus
himself who will be with us always, as we continue to be
his presence alive in the world. Copyright © J. S. Paluch Co