When Jesus spent 40 days here on earth after his glorious Resurrection from the dead, he then ascended to his father in heaven. This is the truth of the Ascension. St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430) identified this mystery and our response to it: “Today Our Lord Jesus Christ ascended into Heaven; let our hearts ascend with Him.”
One might think that the Ascension of Jesus was a sad event for his mother and his disciples. The saving work of Christ on earth was now close to completion. It was time for him to return to his father’s side. But when Mary and his other friends went to the mountain in Galilee that Jesus had indicated, they heard him say: “And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Mt 28:20) All on the mountain must have been struck by this oath that guaranteed, in effect, that Christ was not leaving them.
St. Augustine explained: “For just as He remained with us even after His Ascension, so we, too, are already in Heaven with Him, even though what is promised us has not yet been fulfilled in our bodies.” And how is that possible? The bishop of Hippo answered: “He is here with us by His divinity, His power and His love. We cannot be in Heaven, as He is on earth, by divinity, but in Him, we can be there by love.”
That Jesus ascended to his father does not mean that we have been abandoned. True, we do not see him with physical sight as his followers did. Instead, we see him with “the eyes of faith.” The virtue of charity is the bond that unites us to the Redeemer.
On Thursday, June 11, which is the liturgical memorial of St. Barnabas, Apostle, the Catholics bishops of the United States will consecrate our country to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus as part of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The following day is the annual Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.
This consecration seems so fitting and timely. We gratefully acknowledge the presence of Jesus all around us even now. He has not left us orphaned but abides with us in our joys and sorrows. Christ in the most blessed sacrament is really, truly and substantially present. Our hearts pine for the opportunity to receive him worthily and often, and to spend time with him in eucharistic adoration. In Jesus is our true home in the kingdom of God.
The church gladly remembers that Jesus is with his people now on earth and that his brothers and sisters are with him in heaven. St. Augustine’s life was enriched because he knew that Christ remained here on earth and that his friends were joined with him around heaven’s banquet table.
We are spiritually enriched when we notice the living Jesus beside us on earth and trust that we are with him in heaven. Christ’s Ascension is experienced by us when we are filled with charity, the legacy that the master left to us, his beloved and needy children.
Msgr. Mangan is on the faculty of Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md.
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