Jesus Ascends into Heaven

Catholic presentation

The second glorious mystery

In between the resurrection, and the coming of the Holy Spirit, there's this strange event.  Our Lord's ascension into Heaven is strange not because it's supernatural, we're all familiar with that aspect.  Rather it's strange in its meaning.

Even before the arrest and passion of Jesus, it can be asserted that in a sense, the kindom of God had already come.  For Jesus was with us on Earth.  At the last supper, He gave us Himself, 'body blood soul and divinity', and remains present today in tabernacles all around the globe.  Wherever two or three gather in His name, He is there.  And yet here He takes His leave with a promise to return:

Acts 1:9 And when he had said these things, while they looked on, he was raised up: and a cloud received him out of their sight

10 And while they were beholding him going up to heaven, behold two men stood by them in white garments.

11 Who also said: Ye men of Galilee, why stand you looking up to heaven? This Jesus who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come, as you have seen him going into heaven

Perhaps you find it straightforward, and it's only me that finds it strange.  But John Paul 2 described prayer before the Blessed Sacrament as 'heart to heart contact'.  And it puzzles me, that we can be so close to Our Lord, and yet He has not yet returned.  The only way I can explain it, is by remembering the cloud that received Him out sight.  We say that in the Eucharist he is veiled.  And of course a cloud will veil things from view.  If I'm right, then when you stand before the Blessed Sacrament, then there's only a cloud between you and the sight of Him.  Clouds stop neither words, nor love nor spirit, only sight.  But receive the sacrament and something more will transfer to you.  Nothing less than supernatural life!

When the coulds return Jesus to our sight, then we know He will come with power, to Judge.  For good reason it's called that 'great and terrible day' (Acts 2:20).  And make no mistake, the standard that's set will be very high.  But in His mercy, before that day, Our Lord offers us His Mercy.  Get it while you can!