The Ascension of the Lord!

Today we celebrate the Feast of Jesus ascending into Heaven to reunite with His Father and ascend the Throne of Heaven. Saint Augustine said in His Ascension homily that: "Today our Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven; let our hearts ascend with him. Listen to the words of the Apostle: 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."

"While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into Heaven." -Luke 24:51

Saint  Augustine goes on to say further: "Christ is now exalted above the heavens, but he still suffers on earth all the pain that we, the members of his body, have to bear. He showed this when he cried out from above: Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? and when he said: I was hungry and you gave me food.

Why do we on earth not strive to find rest with him in heaven even now, through the faith, hope and love that unites us to him? While in heaven he is also with us; and we while on earth are with him. He is here with us by his divinity, his power and his love. We cannot be in heaven, as he is on earth, by divinity, but in him, we can be there by love."

Prayer to Christ Ascended Into Heaven

O Lord Jesus,

I adore You,

Son of Mary,

my Savior and my Brother,

for You are God.

I follow You in my thoughts,

O firstfruits of our race,

as I hope one day by Your grace

to follow You in my person

into heavenly glory.

In the meantime,

do let me neglect the earthly task

that You have given me.

Let me labor diligently

all my life

with a greater appreciation for the present.

Let me realize

that only by accomplishing

true human fulfillment

can I attain Divine fulfillment

and ascend to You at the completion of my work.

Ta, Ta for Now!