We too, if we are faithful, will one day ascend to joys unspeakable and glories untold.
Editor’s Note: Most archdioceses and dioceses within the United States celebrate Ascension Sunday, though the ecclesiastical provinces of Boston, Hartford, New York, Newark, Omaha and Philadelphia celebrate Ascension Thursday.
Mass readings: Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9; Ephesians 1:17-23; Matthew 28:16-20.
The readings describe a wondrous event that the apostles witnessed: The Lord, by his own power, ascends to heaven. In so doing, Jesus opens a path for us, too. In Christ, man returns to God.
Imagine the glory of this moment:
“As they were looking on, he was lifted up and a cloud took him from their sight … they were looking intently in the sky as he was going” (Acts 1:9).
So impressive was the sight that the angels had to beckon them to Jerusalem, as the Lord had said:
“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11).
Yes, it was glorious. As a summons to faith, Jesus had once said, “What if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?” (John 6:62) He had also encouraged them by saying, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man” (John 1:51). This is fulfillment of what Jesus had said.
In the Ascension, the Lord entered heaven alone. In his mystical Body we also ascend with him. Consider this remarkable text, which affirms that:
Therefore, it is said, “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men.” In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is he who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things (Ephesians 4:8ff).
The Lord had earlier, just after his death, descended to Sheol, awakened the dead, and preached the Gospel to them (1 Peter 4:6). Now, for those he had justified, came the moment to ascend with Jesus as a “host,” as an army of former captives now set free.
Behold the great procession that enters behind Christ through the now-opened gates of heaven: Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Rachel, Judith, Deborah, David, Samuel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Malachi, John the Baptist! Yes, this is a great rescue. Adam and his descendants have not simply been restored to some paradisiacal garden: They have entered heaven.
Consider how this once-captive train sings exultantly as they follow Christ; the liturgy presents a song they likely sang:
“God mounts his throne to shouts of Joy! The Lord amid trumpet blasts. All you peoples clap your hands, shout to God with cries of gladness, for the Lord, the most high, the awesome, is the great king over all the earth. God reigns over the nations, God sits upon his holy throne” (Psalm 47:6-7).
We too, if we are faithful, will one day ascend to joys unspeakable and glories untold.
