We know in faith.

In our Diocese the Ascension is celebrated on this Sunday and not on the Thursday just prior. Jesus has prepared His Apostles for this day and reminds them that He will not abandon them. For His ascension to the Father is all about how the Father and Jesus will continue their presence in this world by sending the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Blessed Trinity. Jesus takes His disciples out of the city of Jerusalem and then stops and raises His hand over them in a blessing and then is taken up into heaven. They follow Jesus’ instructions to return to Jerusalem and await to be clothed with the power from on high, rejoicing and praising God daily in the temple area. We hear this recounted in the reading from the Acts of the Apostles today. But unlike the Apostles, we do not still stand there looking up to heaven, where Jesus was lifed up before their eyes. We know in faith that Jesus has ascended to the Father and we know also in faith that the gif of the Holy Spirit helps us to know and understand this truth.

Blessings,
Fr. Fred