Homily — 7^th Sunday of Easter, Ascension (2004)

Fr. Timothy W. Castor

In ancient Rome, when a high-ranking general won a military victory which involved the death of at least 5000 of the enemy, he was entitled to what was known as a Triumph. The Triumph was held in the city of Rome, and consisted of a solemn procession from the altar of Mars, the god of war, to the temple of Jupiter on the Capitol Hill. The general, wearing a gold and purple toga, his face painted red, would stand in a chariot drawn by four horses with a slave at his side holding over his head the crown of victory. The army, along with the spoils of war, captives, magistrates and senators participated in the triumphal march, accompanied by the sounding of trumpets and drums. The lengthy route of the march wound through the city streets, and finally passed the Forum as it approached the Capitol on the Via Sacra—the Holy Way. The general would then climb the Capitol and, offering sacrifice to Jupiter, he would present the trophies he had won in battle. The prisoners of war would then be led aside and put to death. This grand celebration, full of pomp and majesty, was the sign and seal of victory—victory which was won on the battlefield, but now was brought home, as it were, to be embraced and ratified by all the people. During the period of Imperial Rome, only the Emperor himself could celebrate a Triumph.

Today, our great Emperor, Jesus Christ, celebrates his Triumph. Ascending into heaven with his resurrected and glorified human body, Jesus has led captivity captive and presents to the Eternal Father his great and decisive victory over sin, Satan and death. When the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity came into this world, he was given only one weapon to fight this great war—the weapon was a complete and perfect human nature, including a human body and soul. Although itself free from sin, our Lord’s human nature knew the effects of sin’s curse: he experienced weakness, sorrow and suffering. Nevertheless, in and through his sacred humanity, Jesus won countless minor victories during his life on earth: he healed the sick and raised the dead, he provided for human needs and showed his mastery over nature, to those in error he brought the light of truth, to those in sin he brought forgiveness.

Beginning in the garden of Gethsemane, and ending on Mount Calvary, the final battle was fought. Our Lord’s sacred body bled and died, and for a moment it seemed as if the enemy had won. Yet this was the greatest victory of all, because death itself was put to death on the Cross and sin was conquered once for all. Three days later, he rose from the dead with a human body renewed and glorious. This was the body he had been given at his incarnation; and yet now it was no longer subject to suffering and death, and now it was endowed with properties beyond our wildest dreams.

The ascension, which we celebrate today, is our Lord’s Triumph. With great joy and solemnity, he enters heaven bringing with him his resurrected body—the weapon of war has now become the spoils of war. He presents this trophy to the Eternal Father and receives his crown as King of heaven and earth. The victory is won; and yet we (who make up the members of his Mystical Body on earth) continue to fight our ancient enemy who refuses to admit defeat. Yet our King fights with us by interceding for us at the right hand of the Father and by pouring his grace into our lives day after day through the Sacraments of his Holy Church. Moreover, he has given us his Holy Spirit to be our Advocate and Guide. And so our victory is assured. Only our sin and self-will could possibly stand in the way.

The disciples rejoiced when they saw Jesus rise into the clouds because they knew that his Ascension was a promise to them of their own Triumph over death. And it is a promise to us as well. May the Lord help us to remain faithful to him, sharing in his sufferings in this life so that we might also share in his resurrection and rise with him to the eternal happiness of the life to come. With joy, we echo the words of today’s Psalm:

God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy;
the Lord, amid trumpet blasts.
Sing praise to God, sing praise;
sing praise to our King, sing praise.

© 2004, The Rev. Timothy W. Castor