The Ascension of the Lord

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The Ascension of the Lord

This year we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord on June 1st.  The Ascension of the Lord is when we commemorate the resurrected Jesus being taken up to heaven in the presence of eleven of his apostles.  According to Scripture, an angel tells the watching disciples that Jesus’ second coming will take place in the same manner as his ascension.

The Gospels of in Luke 24:50-53 and Mark 16:19 both include two brief descriptions of the ascension of Jesus. And we find a more detailed account of Jesus’ bodily Ascension into the clouds in the Acts of the Apostles 1:9-11.

The ascension of Jesus is professed in the Nicene Creed and in the Apostles’ Creed.  It is one of the Glorious Mysteries of the Holy Rosary.  The ascension is one of the chief feasts of the Christian year. It dates back at least to the later 4th century.  The ascension is one of the five major milestones in the gospel narrative of the life of Jesus, along his baptism, transfiguration, crucifixion, and resurrection.

I find the ascension to be a bittersweet day.  I can’t help but think that the apostles might have felt the same way.  On one hand the ascension demonstrates the glory of Jesus as He returns to his rightful place in heaven.  On the other hand, Jesus is no longer physically with us. 

But we know that Jesus did not really leave us.  He is still with us.  Jesus is no longer limited by his human body and He is no longer restricted by time and space.   Isn’t it comforting to know that Jesus is always with us…and will be until the end of time!

 

 

 

 

 

Sister Lisa Maurer, OSBSister Lisa Maurer

Sister Lisa Maurer was born and raised in Sleep Eye, Minnesota. Before entering the Monastery in 2007, she taught and coached in Catholic Schools within the New Ulm Diocese. Sister Lisa Made her Perpetual Monastic Profession in July ll, 2012. Her first ministry as a Benedictine Sister was working at the parishes of St. Lawrence and St. Joseph in Duluth. Currently she is Director of Mission Integration for the Benedictine Health System.

 

 

 

Posted in Reflections, Uncategorized

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“And let them first pray together, that so they may associate in peace.”
–St. Benedict of Nursia, The Rule of Saint Benedict