The forty days between the resurrection and the Ascension were filled with incident and rich symbolism. The feelings of that first community must have been very mixed. During this time Jesus was pointing towards the time when he would no longer be on earth. In these days before his ascension into heaven, while he was waiting to claim his rightful place with the Father, the Lord was no longer with his disciples in the same way as he was before his death. But despite this change of manner, he was keen to emphasize that he would still accompany them in everything.
The signs associated with believers in today’s Gospel are still at work today. Jesus is still working with believers, as he was with the first set of disciples.
So the mission Christ spells out is just as relevant now. In today’s Gospel we are given the assurance and encouragement that Christ will always work with us in our particular circumstances, as long as we believe the Good News as handed down through the apostles by Christ.