A Reflection on the Ascension of the Lord

JESUS OUR LORD ASCENDING INTO HEAVEN.
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"Then He led them out as far as Bethany, 

raised His hands, and blessed them. 

As He blessed them He parted from them 

and was taken up to heaven." 

- Luke 24: 50-51

Today, the Universal Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Ascension, as the Bible tells us that it took place forty days after the Resurrection, though the Vatican has given the option to respective Episcopal Conferences to have their celebration either today or on the Sunday following this day. 

The Ascension to heaven is a Biblical event in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ.   It can be read in Mark 16:19, Luke 24:51 and Acts 1. It cannot be found in Matthew though the sending off of the Apostles to proclaim the Gospel and make disciples of all nations [see Matthew 28: 19-20] find a parallel in Mark 16:16, which immediately precedes the Ascension. While in John, the Lord tells Mary Magdalene when He appeared to her after His resurrection that she shouldn't touch Him for He still has to ascend to the Father [see John 20:17]. The Apostle Paul also teaches about this event [see Ephesians 4: 8-10; 1 Timothy 3:16].

It is also recited as the Second Glorious Mystery of the Holy Rosary. 

What is the importance of the Ascension for us? The Lord Jesus Christ himself tells us the significance of the event:

"Still, I am telling you the truth: 

it is for your own good that I am going, 

because unless I go, 

the Paraclete will not come; 

but if I go, I will send him to you." 

- John 16:7

So the Lord had to leave, for unless He does, the Holy Spirit won't be sent to His Apostles and disciples, the first members of the Church. And unless the Holy Spirit, our Advocate, is sent, He won't be able to fulfill His mission of leading the Church into all truth and reminding her of the things that the Lord has taught the Apostles [see John 14:26], which they have passed on to their successors in the Church  [see Titus 2 Thessalonians 2:2; 3:6; 1 Corinthians 11:2].

As we reflect on the significance of the Ascension, let us remember that closely related to this event is the sending off of the Apostles to make disciples of all nations, to baptize them into the Trinitarian Faith, and to teach them everything that He has taught the Apostles [see Matthew 28: 18-20].