The Second Glorious Mystery:
The Ascension

“‘It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority. But you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight” (Act 1:7-9).

“He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God” (Act 1:3).

“When they had gathered together they asked him, ‘Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He answered them, ‘It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority. But you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight. While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them. They said, ‘Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven’” (Act 1:6-11).

“Christ’s ascension marks the definitive entrance of Jesus’ humanity into God’s heavenly domain, whence he will come again… Jesus Christ, the head of the Church, precedes us into the Father’s glorious kingdom so that we, the members of his Body, may live in the hope of one day being with him forever. Jesus Christ, having entered the sanctuary of heaven once and for all, intercedes constantly for us as the mediator who assures us of the permanent outpouring of the Holy Spirit” (CCC 665-667). We shall follow where our beloved Lord leads, that we may be with him always.

Briefly reflect, discuss with God, and Praise God.

Before ascending into heaven, Jesus directs his apostles to make disciples of all nations, “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20). This great commission directs all disciples—all faithful Catholics of all times—to continue Jesus’ work of preaching, teaching, and healing. Not only priests and religious, not only gifted speakers and missionaries, but every faithful Catholic. Our efforts will vary greatly; however, we must witness to those around us through word and example. We must plant seeds and open doors in ways large and small, wherever we go.

Briefly reflect, discuss with God, and Praise God.

The disciples still wanted to know when Christ would restore the nation of Israel, right up to his last moments on earth. The greatest testament of God’s love and fellowship was yet overshadowed by their desire to overthrow Roman rule. Our Lord immediately changed the subject and commissioned them to be his witnesses throughout the whole world, to make disciples of all nations! Not until Pentecost would they fully get their priorities right, not until Pentecost would they forget about Rome and focus on continuing the work of Jesus. They just didn’t get it until Pentecost! May we focus our lives on forming living, growing disciples. May political issues and even social justice pale before this great commission.

Briefly reflect, discuss with God, and Praise God.

When he ascended into heaven, Jesus “did not separate himself from our condition, in fact, in his humanity, he took mankind with him in the intimacy of the Father, and so has revealed the final destination of our earthly pilgrimage” (Pope Benedict XVI). 

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“Left to its own natural powers humanity does not have access to the ‘Father’s house,’ to God’s life and happiness. Only Christ can open to man such access that we, his members, might have confidence that we too shall go where he, our Head and our Source, has preceded us” (CCC 661).

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“Jesus Christ, having entered the sanctuary of heaven once and for all, intercedes constantly for us as the mediator who assures us of the permanent outpouring of the Holy Spirit” (CCC 667).