The Kingdom Remains

05-16-2021Weekly ReflectionDr. Scott Hahn

Today's First Reading begins by giving us a time- frame - the events take place during the days between Christ's ascension and Pentecost. We're at the same point in our liturgical year. On Thursday we celebrated His being taken up in glory, and next Sunday we will celebrate His sending of the Spirit upon the Church. Jesus' prayer in the Gospel today also captures the mood of departure and the anticipation. He is telling us today how it will be when He is no longer in the world.

By His ascension, the Lord has established His throne in heaven, as we sing in today's Psalm. His kingdom is His Church, which continues His mission on earth. Jesus fashioned His kingdom as a new Jerusalem, and a new house of David (see Psalm 122:4-5; Revelation 21:9-14). He entrusted this kingdom to His twelve apostles, who were to preside at the Eucharistic table, and to rule with Him over the restored twelve tribes of Israel (see Luke 22:29-30). The twelve apostles symbolize the twelve tribes and hence the fulfillment of God's plan for Israel (see Galatians 6:16). That's why it is crucial to replace Judas - so that the Church in its fullness receives the Spirit at Pentecost.