Today we celebrate the External Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord.
It is this solemnity which calls to mind the Lord’s final moments upon this earth. Throughout the course of His earthly life so much had taken place. He was born in Bethlehem. He came to be worshiped by angels, shepherds, and wise men. He was presented in the Temple at three years of age. He entered into the waters of baptism in the Jordan. He entered into His public ministry where He taught and worked miracles. The events of His Passion unfolded and He broke bread with His disciples, was crucified, died, and was buried. Despite this sorrow true joy came to give rise for He rose on the third day. Following the Resurrection He appeared to His disciples and gave them hope.
The Lord is now taken up to Heaven Body and Soul. From this glimpse the apostles elevated their sight and came to believe and profess in this same reality. Likewise, each of us must come to elevate our sight upwards towards the Lord. We must dare to go where He has now gone before, Heaven. There is no greater glimpse then this for this is the pearl of great price that we are told of in Sacred Scripture, for “the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.”
Throughout the course of our own life we experience so many joys and sorrows. There are the temptations that attempt to lead us away from God and towards the lie of earthly pleasures. We are busy with this and that for there is always something more for us to do in this life. The answer to all of these burdens is the ultimate joy of Heaven. If only we would set our sight here and realize that there is nothing greater that we can look upon or behold then this. As we are told by Saint Paul in his Letter to the Colossians, “If you have risen with Christ, set your hearts on the things that are above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God; seek the things that are above, not the things that are on earth.“
Let us enter fully into this celebration of the Lord’s Ascension in order that we may set our heart upon what is above. Jesus has not simply gone away, but continues to remain close to us. As He stated to His apostles, “I speak the truth to you: it is expedient for you that I depart. For if I do not go the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” This Advocate for which we await is the Holy Spirit who comes upon the Church as a strong diving wind at Pentecost. Let us prepare for this gift of the Holy Spirit for this gift guides us in all truth and assists us in our daily pursuit of the Kingdom of Heaven.
The Lord’s Ascension is a glimpse into true joy. This is a glimpse towards Heaven which is the ultimate joy of this life. Do we dare to go where the Lord has now gone before or would we rather continue to toil in the here and now without hope? In all things let us raise our sight towards Christ for He is the hope of our life and His Kingdom is true joy.
