Ascension: Humanity Re-Enters Heaven – Fr. Okoli

By Patrick Wemambu

Since Adam and Eve departed the Garden of Eden, mankind has re-entered the presence of God through Christ. By His Ascension, Jesus has opened the doors of Heaven for humanity.

That was the declaration of Rev. Fr. Leonard Okoli, Parish Priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Umuochi-Utchi, Ndokwa East LGA of Delta State last week while delivering the homily which dwelt on the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord in his church.

“By ascending, Christ enters fully into His glory and opens Heaven for humanity. The Ascension means that our humanity has entered Heaven in Christ. Jesus did not rise as a spirit only, He ascended with His glorified human nature. This is central to Catholic theology. Human life, human suffering and even the human body now have eternal dignity because Christ carried our humanity into the life of God,” Fr. Okoli sermonized.

Quoting St. Augustine who posited that where the Head has gone, the Body is called to follow, the homilist rationalized that as Christ the Head has ascended, the Church His Body is expected thus to walk in hope.

Reflecting on the First Reading of the Day where Angels asked the Disciples why they were standing gazing at the sky, the preacher contended that – unlike the Men of Galilee starring and holding on to the visible Jesus – the contemporary Church must now move from watching to witnessing.

Another paradox related to the feast was revealed. Whereas Jesus was physically present in a place at a time before ascending, He remains present to the whole Church after the ascent through Sacramental Theology – the Holy Trinitarians were informed.

“That is why the Ascension is connected to mission. Jesus says, ‘Go and make Disciples of all nations.’ The Church cannot remain frozen in nostalgia or fear. The Ascension reminds Catholics that Christianity is not just about admiring Jesus. It is about continuing His mission in the world,” Fr. Okoli wound up.