The Ascension

 “Men of Galilee, why do you start looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven” 

( Acts 1:11)

The Ascension marks the last leg of Jesus' mission to save the world.It affirms that Jesus does not shed His humanity after the resurrection; He retains His body in heaven. This means we will see the marks of the crucifixion on His body, as Saint Thomas did (John 20 : 28). Jesus and Mary are already reunited with their glorified bodies in heaven.Part of getting our bodies back will be the transformation of all matter. Our bodies participate in our good and bad deeds, and so they must in the end participate in the last general judgment. (See Hebrews 9).

The Ascension of Jesus is a necessary antecedent to His continuing walk of salvation through the Spirit and the Church ( John 16:7-16). It is an assurance that Jesus cares for His suffering people, and is ready to welcome them home through His Church ,Word and Sacraments. (See  Acts of the Apostles 7).

 Prayer

Heavenly Father, I thank You for sending Your Son who was with us only for a short time. Thank You for being the living water that quenches the thirst of all those who long for You. I give You praise for being Your resurrection power. It is because of You that we too can have everlasting life with You in heaven. I pray that we do not take for granted this special day,Amen.

 (John : 33)