THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD

The gospel of Mark that we return to on this Sunday of the feast of the Ascension of the Lord had ended with the women visiting the tomb of Jesus; There they find a young man dressed in white who announces to them that Jesus has risen and orders them to go give that news to the disciples. But, according to the evangelist, they, full of fear, do not say anything to anyone. (Mark 16:8). This is how Mark's gospel originally ended.

However, the gospel could not end like this and, according to New Testament studies, the last verses of this chapter 16, verses 9 to 20, are a later addition, inspired by the gospel of Luke, presenting a summary of the appearances of the Risen Jesus to his disciples and concluding with the ascension of Jesus to heaven (ascension). In other words, the gospel concludes with Jesus returning to the Father, but entrusting his mission to his disciples. The ascension begins the mission of those who have believed in Jesus, like you and me. “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature.”