MARK 16:19-20
THE ASCENSION OF JESUS
Text – Mark 16:19–20
19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God.
20 But they went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.
Historical and Jewish Context
Following His Resurrection and final instructions to the apostles, Jesus was taken up into heaven, signifying the completion of His earthly mission and His return to divine glory. The expression “at the right hand of God” was a familiar Jewish phrase meaning a place of power, honor, and participation in God’s authority (cf. Psalm 110:1). By this exaltation, Jesus is revealed as the true Messiah and eternal High Priest who intercedes for humanity. The apostles, transformed from fearful followers into bold witnesses, began to fulfill the Great Commission by preaching throughout the known world. The miraculous signs accompanying their ministry—healings, exorcisms, and conversions—demonstrated the continued presence and power of the risen Lord working through His Church. This brief conclusion of Mark’s Gospel bridges the earthly life of Jesus and the ongoing mission of His disciples under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Catholic Theological Perspective
The Ascension marks not Christ’s absence but His glorified presence. Theologically, it signifies His enthronement as King and High Priest, and His continued work of mediation between God and humanity (CCC 659–667). His being “taken up” fulfills the promise that the Son of Man would return to the Father after completing His saving work (John 16:28). Seated at the right hand of God, He reigns as the head of the Church, directing and sustaining her mission through the Holy Spirit. The statement that the Lord “worked with them” affirms that evangelization is always a cooperative act between divine grace and human effort. The Church, as the mystical Body of Christ, continues His mission of redemption in the world. The signs that confirmed the apostles’ preaching express not merely miracles but the transformative power of faith, sacraments, and holiness manifest in every generation.
Parallels in Scripture
Luke 24:50–53 – Jesus blesses His disciples and is carried up to heaven.
Acts 1:6–11 – Full account of the Ascension and the angelic promise of His return.
Ephesians 1:20–23 – Christ seated at God’s right hand, head over all things for the Church.
Hebrews 7:25 – Jesus “lives forever to make intercession” for His people.
Matthew 28:20 – “I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Key Terms
Ascension – Christ’s exaltation to the Father’s glory after His Resurrection.
Right Hand of God – Symbol of divine authority, kingship, and participation in the Father’s power.
Signs – Visible manifestations of God’s power confirming the truth of the Gospel.
Catholic Liturgical Significance
This passage forms the heart of the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, celebrated forty days after Easter. It marks the culmination of Christ’s Paschal Mystery and the anticipation of Pentecost, when the Spirit empowers the Church for mission. During the Easter season, the Church proclaims this mystery as the assurance that Christ’s humanity now shares in divine glory and that He remains present in Word, Sacrament, and community. Every Eucharist is both a remembrance of Christ’s Ascension and a participation in His heavenly intercession, as the faithful unite their worship with the eternal praise of the risen Lord.
Conclusion
The Gospel of Mark concludes with triumph and mission. The risen and ascended Christ reigns in glory, yet continues to work with His Church on earth. His return to the Father is not an end but a new beginning—an assurance that He remains forever with His followers, guiding their efforts and confirming their faith. The Church’s task to “preach everywhere” is sustained by His presence and the power of the Holy Spirit until the day of His return.
Reflection
Christ’s Ascension reminds us that our faith is not confined to the past but directed toward eternity. The Lord who ascended now reigns within His Church and within every heart open to grace. Our mission continues His—bringing the Gospel to all creation and witnessing that Christ lives and reigns forever. In every act of love, healing, and truth, the risen Lord “works with us.”
Prayer
Glorious Lord Jesus, You ascended to the Father to prepare a place for us and to reign in eternal majesty. Stay with Your Church as we proclaim Your Gospel to the world. Strengthen our faith, confirm our mission, and guide us by Your Spirit until we share in the joy of Your heavenly kingdom. Amen.