Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord
Today we celebrate Christ’s ascension to heaven in the presence of his apostles.
Traditionally it is celebrated 40 days after Christ’s resurrection, here in the Philippines we celebrate it on the seventh Sunday of Easter.
This celebration is very important for us Catholic Christians because it reminds us that as Christ ascended to heaven, we too, as members of the Body of Christ, will ascend into heaven after our bodily resurrection.
In this celebration we are reminded of our evangelizing mission when Christ, before he ascended, gave his disciples his final instructions – for them to wait for the descent of the Holy Spirit before going out to proclaim the Gospel to every creature.
The days that follow the ascension, awaiting the day of Pentecost, we are invited to pray intensely for the coming of the Holy Spirit, asking for the seven gifts – right judgment, courage, knowledge, reverence, understanding, wisdom, and fear of God – that would allow us to live faithfully as followers of Christ.
Let us pray.
God our Father
Make us joyful in the ascension of your Son Jesus Christ.
May we follow him into the new creation,
for his ascension is our glory and our hope.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.