This feast day commemorates the ascension of Jesus to heaven, returning to his Father forty days after his resurrection, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. On the 40th day Jesus led his apostles to the Mount of Olives where he instructed them to wait for the promise of the Holy Spirit. Then as they were watching he ascended into heaven.  Two angels appeared and declared that just as he had ascended, Jesus would return in glory.

The Ascension is about the going of the Son to the Father and about the coming of God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven, and about the cost of that kingdom. Christ risen, ascended, glorified; Christ seated at the right hand of the Father, still at work on our behalf, eternally alive to make intercession for us; Christ willing us into our full stature as redeemed Children of God.  

Music for reflection: God is Gone up by William Croft CRD 3491 © CRD Records Ltd (used with permission) Ascension - Copley