Jesus’ death, resurrection, ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit form a “seamless robe”, one single movement which, in some ways can all be seen in the climax on Calvary. Jesus, before he leaves his disciples, gives them their Mission. There are four aspects to this Mission:

a) There is the duty of the Christian community to evangelise, that is, to communicate the life vision that is contained in the Christian Testament and especially the Gospel.
b) The church has the task of healing. The Christian is not simply concerned with the “soul”. The whole person needs to experience the effects of salvation – in spirit, mind, feelings, body, and in the surrounding environment.
c) Jesus promises that the Spirit will give power to his disciples. This is not to be political or economic power.
d) Finally, the Christian community does not do this alone. “I will be with you always, to the very end of time,” is the promise of Jesus.

The feast of Jesus’ Ascension reminds us that we, too, will have our resurrection, when God “will raise our mortal bodies and make them like his own in glory…when every tear will be wiped away (when) we shall see you, our God, as you are.”