Bulletin Article for Ascension Sunday, cycle A – May 17, 2026

When the COVID pandemic happened, people stopped going to work in person. Instead, they worked remotely and met on-line. The pandemic taught us that presence can be real even when bodies are apart.

And that paradox — absent yet present, remote yet real — explains the mystery of the         Ascension that we celebrate today. Jesus’ presence continues on in two ways:

First, Jesus’ work and presence continues through the Church. We are the Body of Christ,  sharing God’s salvation with the world through works of service to the world.

Second, Jesus continues to be present at the mass and sacraments. At the mass, Jesus is present in the presider, the scriptures proclaimed, the congregation, and of course, the Eucharist. In  addition to the sacraments, He is present when two or three are gathered in His name.

Through the Church and the sacraments, Jesus bodily absence becomes the condition for his spiritual presence.