For Jesus and his disciples their encounters were a series of meeting points. They happened on the seashore, in towns and villages, on the plains, on the road, in people’s houses, in the Garden of Gethsemane, on the mountaintop. They took many different forms and involved many others. These meetings continued to occur after the Resurrection until the return of Jesus to his Father, his ultimate meeting point. That is what this solemnity is about: mission accomplished, his journey complete, Jesus returns to be with the Father. In returning to his Father, Jesus gives a mission and a promise. A mission to continue his work just as he taught them: to preach the Good News of God’s love, hope and peace, to be living witnesses of his presence.

In our own lives too there are many meeting points; many occasions or gatherings. They are times to pause, to reflect, to celebrate, to become one in God’s presence; to be drawn together and united by him who brings us together and unites us and to recognize his presence in our gatherings. These are just preparations. Moments to be cherished and celebrated as we prepare in heart and mind to listen, to hear him speak, to be touched anew by his presence. Just as he spoke with the disciples he speaks to us today. ‘When the scriptures are proclaimed in Church, God speaks to God’s people. And it is Christ present in his word who proclaims the Gospel.

So then, like the disciples, let us not be looking upwards to heaven. He is here within and among us. He walks and talks with us. And we, too, like the disciples, are sent forth to be his living witnesses.