2026 Cycle A - 7th Sunday of Easter, Ascension
Readings
7th Sunday of Easter, Ascension Ascension: Acts 1:1-11; Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9; Eph 1:17-23; Matt 28:16-20;
7th Sunday of Easter: Acts 1:12-14; Ps 27:1, 4, 7-8; 1 Pet 4:13-16; cf. John 14:18; John 17:1-11a
Homily Theme
Heaven and Witnessing
In some USA dioceses this week, the Ascension of Our Lord into Heaven will be celebrated this Sunday, but in others it will still be the 7th Sunday of Easter. Because of this possible confusion I have picked two words for our meditation that can be applied to either celebration: Heaven & Witnessing - or Jesus ascends into Heaven and the Apostles Witnessed His Ascension.
What were the final words of Jesus before ascending? You will be my Witnesses, He tells the Apostles. They have many questions but Jesus requires Witnessing for Him. Since these are His final instructions they must be memorized and lived by us also. We are to be Witnesses to His saving power in our lives, not just by the words we speak, but by the way that we live our faith each day. The Apostles, all of whom, were practicing Jews, laid down their lives in painful martyr’s deaths, as a powerful and convincing Witness to the truths of Jesus’ Resurrection and Ascension into Heaven. Few would have had faith sufficient to die for the truth, but none would die for a lie. We believe because of their Witness. Who believes because of our Witness? Can we claim at least one convert who has accepted the Faith because of it? If not, how strong has our Witness been?
The second word for our meditation is Heaven. Since none of us have ever experienced Heaven, what is it like? St Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 2:9, The eye has not seen nor the ear heard , neither has it entered into the heart of man what things God has prepared for those who love Him. Think of the greatest sights you have ever seen or the greatest music you have ever heard and then think of the greatest love you have ever felt. This is nothing compared to the sights, sounds and love that awaits us in Heaven. Just as the life we experience here on earth is far greater to the life we experienced in the womb. In Heaven we will be perfect in every way. No more sickness, no more pain, only everlasting joy, peace and love. Jesus ascended there to prepare a place for us also, who have Witnessed to His life, death and resurrection by living our faith. We have received also Heavenly Witnessing through Apparitions and miracles such as in Lourdes and Fatima, there are also those who have had near death experiences and have retuned to Witness to their own life changing experiences. Don’t wait for death in order to believe. It will be to late.
Love God and Be a Witness today. Heaven will be watching