So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God" (Mk 16:19).On this day the Church celebrates the Ascension of Christ into heaven. The One who came from the Father returns to the Father at last, and takes a seat at His right hand.
Blessed John Paul II spoke of the Ascension on this solemnity in 1979, early in his pontificate. He said:
… the meaning of the Ascension is found in this phrase: Jesus took his place. After having undergone the humiliation of his passion and death, Jesus took his place at the right-hand of God; he took his place with his eternal Father. But he also entered heaven as our Head. Whereupon, in the expression of Leo the Great, the glory of the Head became the hope of the body. For all eternity Christ takes his place as the firstborn among many brethren: our nature is with God in Christ. And as man, the Lord Jesus lives for ever to intercede for us with the Father. At the same time, from his throne of glory, Jesus sends out to the whole Church a message of hope and a call to holiness.Christ was raised in glory, and one can imagine how much joy this gave Mary and the Apostles. His Ascension should fill us with wonder and joy as well.
While meditating on Christ’s Ascension into heaven, say one Our Father, 10 Hail Mary’s, and a Glory Be.
No comments:
Post a Comment