It seems, on the face of it, that we have two presentations of the mystery of the Ascension in our readings today. What is even more fascinating is that we know the accounts were written by the same author, that is, St Luke. Clearly the theology of the author is in play. There is not enough space in this reflection to address all of it. When we consider the gospel, the Ascension occurs on Easter Sunday. This day starts as "early dawn" (Lk 24: 1) with the discovery of the empty tomb and "on that same day" (Lk 24: 13) speaks of the disciples on the road to Emmaus. These disciples say to the mysterious stranger: "Stay with us, because it is almost evening" (Lk 24: 29). They recognize the Lord at the breaking of the bread and return about seven miles (Lk 24: 13) to Jerusalem. Jesus then appears to the gathered disciples and commissions them to continue his ministry of repentance and proclamation of the Word. Next: "... he led them out as far as Bethany" (Lk 24: 50). Bethany is about two miles from Jerusalem. They see the Lord then ascend to heaven and return the two miles to Jerusalem with great joy. (Lk 24: 52) Surely it would have been dark by then? My opinion is that the Resurrection day, theologically speaking, is an endless day, as we heard last Sunday: "And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of the Lord is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb." (Rev 21: 23)
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