The Ascension of Jesus is an integral part of our faith. It
is the successful accomplishment and conclusion of Jesus’ earthly ministry, the end of his humanity and the return of the Son to his heavenly glory and to the Father. His ascension completed the incarnation by taking his human nature to heaven.
St Luke’s account of the Ascension describes Jesus as lifting his hands and blessing his disciples; while blessing them, he left and was taken into heaven. The last thing they witnessed was Jesus blessing them. His blessing rested on them then and rests on us now, a symbol of his
ongoing ministry.
The Father took Jesus to
heaven to be with him, seating Jesus at his right hand. We have been given access to God’s throne of mercy and grace. We are in union and communion with Jesus even as we are in our struggles and successes in the world today. He will come again in glory, and his kingdom will have no end.
His departure is definitive and ongoing, unlike the resurrection when Jesus left the disciples but reappeared. The Ascension is indefinite and will only end when Jesus returns. He ascended into heaven and rules over all the
earth.
We long for Jesus’ return just as we would long for a loved one or friend absent for some time. As Christians, we know that while Jesus isn’t
here in the flesh with us now, he will be with us one day, and we long for that day. Jesus will bring us to live with him for eternity when that day comes. He will return as he departed, and all dark will be light.
I invite you to reflect on how the ascension of Jesus Christ has changed the course of your life.
Reflections by Gillian Hugo
