Having gathered his apostles for the last time, the risen Jesus was taken up into heaven and a cloud hid him from their sight. The Bible uses symbolic language to describe profound mysteries. We know that ‘heaven’ is symbolised by ‘up above’ but God himself is really what is meant by ‘heaven’ - and God is everywhere present. Talk of ‘ascending’ points to Jesus returning to the Father just as at Christmas he came ‘down’ into the world – ‘down’ symbolising his humility and ‘up’ his exaltation. The cloud is a biblical sign of the presence of God. Jesus returned to the Father having completed his work of saving the world from sin and death so that we could share the life of God. After the Ascension the apostles awaited the coming of the Holy Spirit whom Jesus had promised to send from the Father. In the days between Ascension and Pentecost, we too should pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Church.
Prayers
Risen ascended Lord,
as we rejoice at your triumph,
fill your Church on earth with power and compassion,
that all who are estranged by sin
may find forgiveness and know your peace,
to the glory of God the Father.
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful
and kindle in them the fire of your love.
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