When Jesus told the disciples to go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News to all creation, they did just that.
It was a world without boundaries, and they could go as far as the eye could see and as fast as their feet could carry them.
But today as we hear Jesus telling us to go out to the whole world, we could only think of the closed boundaries and restricted travelling.
We can't even go to another household without first checking how many people will there be at that place.
Yes, such as the current situation, and as we look around, we rather stay put and keep safe.
With these current restrictions, it is difficult to have any personal interactions, and we can almost forget about carrying out any mission.
So, as we look around, there may not be much to look at, and not much to look forward to.
It is like one step forward and then one step back. Well, at least it is not two steps back.
But if looking around does not give us much motivation, then let us look in a different direction. Let us start looking upward.
That seemed to be what the disciples were doing after Jesus ascended into heaven.
They were staring into the sky and not knowing what to do until two men in white appeared to them and told them to get going.
Today as we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord, we too raise our eyes to heaven and may we see that where Jesus had gone, we too hope to be there with Him.
And we raise our eyes to heaven for another reason. We remember another promise of Jesus.
Jesus promised to send us power from on high. He promised us the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit who will make us witnesses of hope to a world that is in despair and in distress.
So, yes, we stay put for now, but we do not look around in despair, but we raise our eyes to heaven in prayer.
We pray the prayer that the Church has taught us and it is this:
“Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit and we shall be created and You shall renew the face of the Earth.”
May the Holy Spirit keep us firm in faith and may we be a sign of hope for the world.