C Ascension homily - Jesus was taken up to heaven (01 June 2025)

 

C, ASCENSION HOMILY, LUKE 24:46-53, JUNE 1, 2025 

1. STORY

John was traveling on a mountain road when he found a precious stone in a stream.  The next day he met another traveler, Peter, who was hungry and asked for some food.  When John opened his bag to get the food, Peter noticed the precious stone and asked for it.  To Peter’s great surprise, John gave him the jewel.  Peter left rejoicing at his good fortune.  The next day Peter came back and returned the stone to John.  He asked John for something more valuable than the stone.  He wanted to know John’s secret that enabled him to give up the stone.  John answered that his secret was his belief in heaven and that every good deed he performed on earth brought him one step closer to his goal.  Heaven was far more important than the precious diamond.

 

2. GOSPEL, LUKE 24:46-53

A. JESUS SUFFERED AND ROSE FROM THE DEAD

i) We know that Jesus suffered on the cross as a sign of his love for us and to save us.

ii) We know that after three days he rose from the dead and gave us the greatest gift to eternal life.

iii) We know that Jesus helped people during his life. 

B. HE WAS TAKEN UP INTO HEAVEN

After Jesus finished his work on earth and trained his followers to continue his work, he ascended into heaven.  He did not abandon us but continues to care, support, and love us in heaven where he sits at the right hand of God the Father.  He is preparing a place for us to be with him forever.

 

3. APPLICATION TO LIFE

A. OUR LIFE ON EARTH 

i) Through our baptism, we have been called to carry on the work that Jesus started.

ii) Just as Jesus helped the poor, the sick, and the hungry, we must try our best to help those in need.

iii) We are called to preach the good news to others by our words and actions.  We share with them that Jesus is the source of our happiness and peace.  He alone can give us the gift of eternal happiness. 

B. WE WILL BE TAKEN UP TO HEAVEN.

i) Just as Jesus was taken to heaven, we will also be taken to heaven.  Heaven is our final home where we will enjoy eternal happiness with God.  It is a pure gift from God.

ii) Though we can in no way earn heaven, Jesus through our baptism, expects us to do good as he did.

a) We do this by praying to God for help and thanking him for his goodness to us.

b) We are kind, respectful, comforting, forgiving, grateful and encouraging to others by our words and deeds.

iii) We care for our health by eating properly, exercising, and getting enough rest.

 

4. CONCLUSION

i) John considered heaven more valuable than a precious diamond.

ii) After living a life of service, Jesus died on the cross, rose from the dead, and was taken to heaven.

iii) We have been called through baptism to follow the example of Jesus by helping others as he did.  We too will be taken to heaven as Jesus was.  We will live with him forever in eternal happiness.  We thank Jesus for giving us the great gift of heaven and ask for the strength to live as he did by loving and helping others.