Ascension of the Lord

Readings for the Ascension of the Lord: Acts, Ephesians, Matthew

Many of us belong to companies, schools, or organizations that have mission statements. A mission statement explains the purpose of the organization and what it hopes to accomplish. But have you ever wondered what the mission of the Church is? Every Catholic should know the answer, because through baptism we belong to the Church and share in its mission.

The word “mission” comes from the Latin missionem, meaning “to send.” In the sixteenth century, Jesuits were sent throughout the world to preach the Gospel and convert souls to Christ. A mission, therefore, is not simply a goal or dream. It involves someone being sent by an authority to accomplish a task. Like the famous line from Mission Impossible: “Your mission, should you choose to accept it…” A mission requires both a sender and someone willing to say yes.

Christ himself had a mission. Every Sunday in the Creed we proclaim that the Son of God “came down from heaven” for our salvation. The Father sent the Son into the world to become man, suffer, die, and rise again so humanity could be saved from sin and death. The Ascension celebrates the completion of Christ’s earthly mission and his victory over death.

Yet the mission is not fully complete, because the salvation won by Christ must still reach every person in every generation. This is the mission of the Church, the Body of Christ. Through baptism and confirmation, Catholics receive the Holy Spirit and are sent into the world to spread the Gospel.

This mission belongs not only to priests and religious, but to every baptized Christian. Parents live the mission by raising children in the faith. Workers, students, and neighbors live it by showing Christ’s love in daily life and sharing their faith when opportunities arise.

Christ was sent to save the world. Now he sends us, his Church, to bring that salvation to others.