Easter Day

On Good Friday Jesus was crucified and buried, but on Easter Day, the first day of the week, God raised him from the dead.  During the day Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene, Peter, the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, and, we may be sure, to Mary, his holy Mother.  The same evening he appeared to the Apostles in the Upper Room, and gave them what is called their Apostolic Commission, that is, his authority to act on his behalf as his personal representatives.  “As the Father has sent me, so I send you”.  When Jesus had said this to the Apostles he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.  If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them…” (NRSV, John:20:21-23).

Ascension Day

At the end of 40 days Jesus led them out of Jerusalem to the top of the Mount of Olives, and there, because they would not see him again, he said goodbye to them in a way he had never done before.  He ascended or went up towards the sky and a cloud of light surrounded him and so he disappeared.  So he returned at last to his home in Heaven on what is called Ascension Day.