Ascension Day

Ascension Day (Ascensio Domini), also known as the Feast of Ascension, occurs on the Thursday forty days after Easter and commemorates the ascension of Jesus into heaven (Acts 1:6-11).

After his suffering, Jesus showed himself first to Mary Magdalene. She went and carried the news to his mourning and sorrowful followers, but when she told them that he was alive they did not believe her.

But when the eleven disciples were at the table. He appeared to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appearedto them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.

So after talking with them the Lord Jesus was taken up into heaven, and he took his seat at the right hand of God.

When Jesus had ascended into Heaven, the eleven disciples set out to preach the Good News. (Mt. 28:16)

The Good News About the Kingdom of God

Even though we celebrate it forty days after Easter Sunday, the Ascension and the Resurrection are closely linked. The idea of forty days comes from the first chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, part of which we will hear today, where Luke tells us that Jesus spent this time explaining the kingdom of God to his hearers. But in his Gospel the same writer presents Jesus ascending to the Father on the day of resurrection, underlining the close link that unites these two aspects of the same mystery in the life of Jesus.

Ascension Prayer

Lord Jesus, in this Easter season we celebrate today your Ascension to God´s right hand as the goal of your resurrection from the dead.
We thank you that you have not left us orphans, because you remain with us to the end of time.
May we always be glad when we think of the many ways you are with us to the end of time.
May we always be glad when we think of the many ways you are with us : in the Eucharist, in your Word, in one another, in your ministers.
May we respond to your presence by keeping your commandments, above all, to love one another as you have loved us.
Amen.