He Has Ascended into Heaven

This past Thursday was the Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord. It is a Principal Feast in our calendar, which means it ranks right up there with Easter and Christmas Day. In fact there are seven Principal Feasts listed in our calendar. Can you name them?

  • Easter Day
  • Ascension Day
  • The Day of Pentecost
  • Trinity Sunday
  • Trinity Sunday
  • All Saints’ Day
  • Christmas Day
  • The Eiphany

Ascension Day is always the 40th day of Eastertide, and on it we commemorate the day that Jesus “ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father,” as we say in the Nicene Creed.This sentence is derived from the Gospel according to St. Mark which tells of the resurrection appearances of Jesus in a very concise way.

The very last two verses refer to the ascension, and what happened afterwards:

“After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.” (Mark 16:19,20)

Note that the Apostles did not go out alone, but that the Lord in the person of the Holy Spirit, the comforter, the strengthener, worked with them.

We know this because of what St. John wrote in chapter 21 of his Gospel, where Jesus breathed on the apostles and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

The Gospel of Luke also records the gift of the Holy Spirit and the Ascension.

Jesus said to his disciples, “See, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

(Here is referring to the Holy Spirit.)

Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God.

In every case, the Ascension is combined wth reference to the gift of the Holy Spirit.

St. John quotes Jesus as saying, “the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”

And it just so happens that next Sunday is the next Principal Feast, the Day of Pentecost, which is the 50th day of Eastertide. I’ll leave that topic for Fr. Grubbs to discuss with you.

(I will be at the Cathedral of St. Vincent next Sunday.)

The Ascension is important for us because it open for us the way to heaven. Jesus led the way after his resurrection, and if we follow, we too can ascend into heaven at the last day.

St. Augustine proclaimed these words on the Feast: “Today our Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven; let our hearts ascend with him. Listen to the words of the Apostle: If you have risen with Christ, set your hearts on the things that are above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God; seek the things that are above, not the things that are on earth. For just as he remained with us even after his ascension, so we too are already in heaven with him, even though what is promised us has not yet been fulfilled in our bodies.”

In other words our spirits have an eternal residence in heaven with Jesus, and someday, our bodies will be in residence, as well.

In this time between Easter Day and now, we have heard of the appearances of the resurrected Lord in the flesh, and that he was taken up in his body into heaven.

The disciples had their doubts, just as we often do, but Jesus kept appearing and speaking to them to reassure them of his presence. Jesus told them, “I am with you always, to the end of time.”

The Apostle Paul wrote to the early Christians in Galatia: “No longer do I live but Christ lives in me and the life I now live I live by faith in the Son of God.” (Galatians 2:19, 20)

St. Leo the Great, a Doctor of the Church wrote this in a sermon:

For today not only are we confirmed as possessors of paradise, but have also in Christ penetrated the heights of heaven, and have gained still greater things through Christ’s unspeakable grace … For us, the Son of God has made members of Himself and placed at the right hand of the Father, with Whom He lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

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Upcoming Events

  • March 19, 2024
    • Maundy Thursday EucharistMaundy Thursday EucharistTime: 6:30 pm
      Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday is the day during Holy Week that commemorates the Washing of the Feet (Maundy) and the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles, as described in the canonical gospels. "Maundy" comes from the Latin word mandatum, or commandment, reflecting Jesus' words "I give you a new commandment."
      Maundy Thursday initiates the Paschal Triduum, the period which commemorates the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus; this period includes Good Friday and Holy Saturday, and ends on the evening of Easter Sunday.
  • March 20, 2024
    • Stations of the CrossStations of the CrossTime: 6:00 pm
      Also known as "way of the cross" or "via crucis" this devotion consists of 14 stations, taken both from Scripture and tradition, since the 18th century when the Church officially approved the now common Lenten practice. Through the stations, we are able to spiritually journey to the via dolorosa (Latin for "way of sorrows" or "way of suffering"). Beginning with Christ's condemnation all the way to his body being laid in the tomb, each "station" allows us to pray and reflect in prayer. Afterwards we meet in the Parish Hall for a Lenten study and meal.
    • Wednesday Life GroupWednesday Life GroupTime: 6:00 pm
      We meet each week at 6:00 pm for a meal and study. We hope you can join us!
  • March 21, 2024
    • Maundy Thursday EucharistMaundy Thursday EucharistTime: 6:30 pm
      Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday is the day during Holy Week that commemorates the Washing of the Feet (Maundy) and the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles, as described in the canonical gospels. "Maundy" comes from the Latin word mandatum, or commandment, reflecting Jesus' words "I give you a new commandment."
      Maundy Thursday initiates the Paschal Triduum, the period which commemorates the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus; this period includes Good Friday and Holy Saturday, and ends on the evening of Easter Sunday.
  • March 22, 2024
    • Maundy Thursday EucharistMaundy Thursday EucharistTime: 6:30 pm
      Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday is the day during Holy Week that commemorates the Washing of the Feet (Maundy) and the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles, as described in the canonical gospels. "Maundy" comes from the Latin word mandatum, or commandment, reflecting Jesus' words "I give you a new commandment."
      Maundy Thursday initiates the Paschal Triduum, the period which commemorates the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus; this period includes Good Friday and Holy Saturday, and ends on the evening of Easter Sunday.
  • March 23, 2024
    • Maundy Thursday EucharistMaundy Thursday EucharistTime: 6:30 pm
      Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday is the day during Holy Week that commemorates the Washing of the Feet (Maundy) and the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles, as described in the canonical gospels. "Maundy" comes from the Latin word mandatum, or commandment, reflecting Jesus' words "I give you a new commandment."
      Maundy Thursday initiates the Paschal Triduum, the period which commemorates the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus; this period includes Good Friday and Holy Saturday, and ends on the evening of Easter Sunday.
  • March 24, 2024
    • Christian EducationChristian EducationTime: 9:30 am - 10:15 am
      Join us as Fr. Munson leads us through the Discover the Bible Study.
    • Holy MassHoly MassTime: 10:30 am
      St. John is located in the small town of Burkburnett, just north of Wichita Falls. We worship in the Anglican tradition and use the 2019 Book of Common Prayer. We would love for you to visit us on a Sunday morning. Come as you are, worship with us, and grow with us in the knowledge of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
    • Maundy Thursday EucharistMaundy Thursday EucharistTime: 6:30 pm
      Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday is the day during Holy Week that commemorates the Washing of the Feet (Maundy) and the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles, as described in the canonical gospels. "Maundy" comes from the Latin word mandatum, or commandment, reflecting Jesus' words "I give you a new commandment."
      Maundy Thursday initiates the Paschal Triduum, the period which commemorates the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus; this period includes Good Friday and Holy Saturday, and ends on the evening of Easter Sunday.
  • March 25, 2024
    • Maundy Thursday EucharistMaundy Thursday EucharistTime: 6:30 pm
      Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday is the day during Holy Week that commemorates the Washing of the Feet (Maundy) and the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles, as described in the canonical gospels. "Maundy" comes from the Latin word mandatum, or commandment, reflecting Jesus' words "I give you a new commandment."
      Maundy Thursday initiates the Paschal Triduum, the period which commemorates the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus; this period includes Good Friday and Holy Saturday, and ends on the evening of Easter Sunday.

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