St. Matthew tells of the commissioning of the disciples but does not describe an ascension. He concludes with Jesus’ words, “And behold I am with you always, until the end of the age.” Mark says simply that “ the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up to heaven” Luke places the event at Bethany and says Jesus raised his hands and blessed the disciples and “parted from them and was taken up to heaven.” John makes no mention of an ascension. In the beginning of the Book of Acts Luke suggest that Jesus and his apostles were in Jerusalem where he gave them some final instructions and adds, “as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.” One thing seems clear: Jesus was no longer visibly with his apostles but he left to them, and through them to us, the responsibility to spread his message and complete his mission. The question for us is: How are we doing with that? Some day, somewhere, Jesus will ask.
