Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/052012-ascension-of-the-lord.cfm

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth."
When he had said this, as they were looking on,
he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.

The Acts of the Apostles begins with a brief recap of the story of Jesus and continues with his instructions to the disciples. It will tell the story of how the newly formed Church moved from Jerusalem, throughout the Empire and finally to Rome, empowered by neither armies nor super-PACs but by the Holy Spirit. They needed no money, safe houses or friends in high places before setting out. Those things would be provided, of course, when needed. Mostly they needed faith.

Luke Timothy Johnson, in his book Prophetic Jesus, Prophetic Church describes the characteristics of Jesus’ and the Church’s ministry thus:

"The themes of prayer, poverty, itinerancy, and service leadership, (italics mine) … are not random, but are internally consistent and interrelated aspects of that faith which "hears the word of God and does it." 

1. The disposition of prayer places one in attendance on God and in receptivity to God's Holy Spirit, rather than with reference to human rulers or conventional social expectations. 
2. Poverty indicates a complete reliance on the God who gives graciously and in abundant measure to those who ask in prayer, freeing the one who has "been given the kingdom" to share possessions with others rather than cling to them as a means of security. 
3. Similarly, itinerancy declares that the one who attends to God's spirit has nothing to lose and is free to move as the Spirit directs. Since security is not sought in place, family, friends or wealth, faith can move into spaces that might otherwise be frightening, expecting a hospitable reception among those of good heart. 
4. Servant leadership, finally, makes the most powerful statement – because most public, visible, and contrastive – that the measure of the kingdom is not the measure of the world and that the function of power within the prophetic people is to empower others."

The Feast of the Ascension celebrates the authority of Jesus. He has "ascended" to the right hand of God his Father. He uses that authority to guide the Church throughout the world and throughout the ages. All authority in heaven and earth has been given to him. The church might never be successful – so far as I can tell the word means nothing in God’s kingdom – but we are fertile and fruitful when we live in the Spirit of prayer, poverty, itinerancy and service leadership.