Liturgy Lesson for the Sunday after Ascension: Where He Is We Will Be

May 20, 2012

We have entered Ascensiontide, commemorating our Lord’s ascension to the Father in Heaven. We keep this day—40 days after Easter—because Jesus miraculously ascended 40 days after the Resurrection. This was the final act of His earthly ministry and final demonstration of His divinity, removing all possibility of doubt from the Apostles’ and disciples’ minds. His ascension completed His work of Atonement, when He destroyed the work of the Devil—His primary mission among us in His flesh. Ascensiontide lasts 10 days, beginning at Ascension Day and ending at Whitsunday, or Pentecost. It’s also important to note that He ascended bodily, in a perfected flesh, acceptable for Heaven—as we will one day, as well, since Scripture teaches us that “…where He is, we shall be also” and “… shall be like Him” for we shall see Him as He is (St. John 14 & I St. John 3). Moreover, our Lord, before He ascended, gave instructions to the disciples to go wait for empowerment in Jerusalem—setting the stage for the Church Militant’s most powerful day—its birthday, Pentecost. So we should, as the angel instructed the disciples, not stand staring into a cloud, but work expectantly for His return in glory, with a new prayer—Maran’athah (Maranatha), meaning, “our Lord comes.” Come quickly, Lord—establish your Kingdom in our lives, now and even more so upon Your return in glory!