The Ascension of the Lord (Year C) - 29 May
29th May 2022
The Ascension of the Lord (Year C) - 29 May
A reflection on the Ascension of the Lord by the Venerable Archbishop Fulton J Sheen:
"Had Christ remained on earth, sight would have taken the place of faith. In heaven, there will be no faith because His followers will see; there will be no hope, because they will possess; but there will be love for love endureth forever!
"In the Ascension the Saviour did not lay aside the garment of flesh with which He had been clothed; for His human nature would be the pattern of the future glory of other human natures, which would become incorporated to Him through a sharing of His life. Intrinsic and deep was the relation between His Incarnation and His Ascension. The Incarnation or the assuming of a human nature made it possible for Him to suffer and redeem. The Ascension exalted into glory that same human nature that was humbled to the death.
"A Coronation upon the earth, instead of an Ascension into heaven, would have confined men’s thoughts of Him to earth. But the Ascension would cause men’s minds and hearts to ascend above the earth. In relation to Himself, it was fitting that the human nature which He took as the instrument for teaching, and governing, and sanctifying, should partake of glory as it shared in shame.
"The human nature which He took was mocked as a Prophet when they blindfolded Him and asked Him to tell who struck Him; He was mocked as a King when they put upon Him a mock-robe of royalty and gave Him a reed of straw for a sceptre; finally He was mocked as a Priest when they challenged Him, Who was offering Himself as a Victim, to come down from the Cross. By the Ascension His triple office of Teacher, King, and Priest was vindicated. But the vindication would be complete when He would come in justice as the Judge of men in the human nature which He took from men. No one to be judged could complain that God knows not the trials to which humans are subject.
"Another reason for the Ascension was that He might plead in heaven to His Father with a human nature common to the rest of men. He could now, as it were, show the scars of His glory not only as trophies of victory but also as emblems of intercession.
"While in heaven, He would be not only an Advocate of men with the Father but He would also send the Holy Spirit as man’s Advocate with Him. The Christ at the right hand of the Father would represent humanity before the Father’s throne; the Holy Spirit abiding with the faithful would represent in them the Christ Who went to the Father. In the Ascension, Christ took our necessities to the Father; thanks to the Spirit, Christ the Redeemer would be brought into the hearts of all who would believe in Him.
"The Ascension would give Christ the right to intercede powerfully for mortals." (Life of Christ)
Ascension of the Lord Prayer
O Christ Jesus, You ascended in glory on the Mount of Olives in the presence of your disciples and the holy angels. O You, who penetrate all things with Your divinity, You were enthroned at the right hand of God the Father and sent down upon Your disciples the Holy Spirit who enlightens, strengthens, and saves our souls. Amen. 🙏💖💐
Prayer to the Holy Spirit by St Augustine of Hippo
Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.
Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.
Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy.
Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy.
Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. Amen. 🙏💖💐