The liturgy of the Ascension of the Lord presented us with two quite different narratives proclaiming the ascension. Both narratives were composed by Luke, one in his Gospel, the other in his Acts of Apostles.

The Gospel for the Feast of the Ascension begins with the only post-resurrection appearance of Jesus to his disciples. Before our Gospel reading begins, Jesus first had to deal with the fright of his disciples at seeing him after their experience of his death.

The very brief gospel reading of this Sunday is a sequel to and summary of the Parable of the Good Shepherd. Between the presentation of the parable and its summary John quotes various statements connected with the parable. The parable had pointed out that the Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The expression, “lays down his life” is especially appropriate because a Palestinian shepherd brought the sheep into the fold or pen at night.