Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord
Intention: For the young people of our world, that all adults may accept the sacred responsibility of loving and caring for our children and for the lives that we inspire and guide them to live.
Today’s Gospel | Luke 24:46-53
Jesus said to his disciples: “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold I am sending the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
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. They did him homage and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and they were continually in the temple praising God.
From the Meditation on the Ascension of Our Lord | Saint John Baptist de La Salle
On this day Jesus Christ left the earth and ascended into heaven, where he has fixed his dwelling forever. On this day his sacred humanity received the adoration of all the angels and all the just who entered heaven with him to take possession of their eternal happiness.
With all the saints, adore this sacred humanity, to whom all power has been given in heaven and on earth. Unite with all the saints to acknowledge and to honor this humanity as it deserves.
Look upon the humanity of Jesus as being the One in whom, as Saint Paul says, are all the treasures of God’s wisdom and knowledge. From his humanity our Savior draws, as from their source, all the graces that he pours out on those who by their good works and by their prayers make themselves worthy to share in them.
Prayer
Eternal Father, your Son’s commission to his disciples was to proclaim his good news, so that that all people might come to know you and believe. We pray that we might help to move our world closer to you. Teach us to see and love each other better, to wash away selfishness and sorrow from our lives. May we walk with one another into the light of your healing and goodness. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.