Dear People of God,

What does it mean for our Lord to Ascend into heaven? What does it mean for us as disciples of Jesus?

The Ascension is not about Jesus leaving us, but of going ahead of us, as our forerunner, our High Priest, and our King, to prepare for us at the right hand of the Father. Far from being an absence, the Ascension is a gift of profound hope, purpose, and power.

Jesus ascended body and soul into heavenly glory not to depart from us but to glorify our humanity. For the first time in eternity, a human body—the Body of Christ—sits enthroned at the right hand of the Father. Humanity itself has been elevated to the very heart of the Holy Trinity. He did not leave His human nature behind. He ascended as the God-man-- body, blood, soul, and divinity—and in doing so, He brought our humanity with Him into glory. Where the Head goes, the Body follows, because Jesus ascended, we have hope and destiny of doing the same. “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places… I am going to prepare a place for you.” (John 14:2). Heaven is opened for us.

The Ascension of Jesus established him as our permanent advocate before the Father. He did not ascend to rest—He ascended to intercede for us forever. “Therefore, He is always able to save those who approach God through Him, since He lives forever to make intercession for them.” (Hebrew 7:25)

The Ascension made Pentecost possible. Jesus Himself said that His going was necessary for us to receive the Holy Spirit: “it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” (John 16:7). The Ascension unleashed the Holy Spirit upon the Church, the Pentecost. Without the Pentecost, there is no Church. Without the Church, there is no sacramental life, no Eucharist, no path of salvation for the world. Ascension is not a closing—it was and opening of the floodgates of grace.

The ascension means commissioning us as disciples of Jesus, to continue the work that Jesus begun. “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Mt. 28: 19-20).

Yours in Christ through Mary Immaculate.

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