This is a reflection on the Mass readings of the day.
“God mounts His throne to shouts of joy.” When we think about the Ascension, meditating on the second glorious mystery of the rosary perhaps, we may be captivated by the physical wonders of the scene: Jesus’ feet disengaging with the earth, and His body floating slowly skyward, until hidden by the cloud. Our whole focus may be captivated by the apostles standing and looking on, agape, drooling perhaps…
These are awe-inspiring contemplations, to be sure. But the readings of today–even the passage from the Gospel, which typically narrates things in the most matter-of-fact manner–today’s readings do not stop at what the apostles see.
Rather, they go to the heart of the matter, the most important aspect of what is happening: “God mounts His throne with shouts of joy.” “…the God of our Lord Jesus Christ…seating him at his right hand in the heavens, far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this age but also in the one to come.”
After an incredibly grueling stint on earth to save us, Jesus arrives home. He arrives home, now dressed in flesh. He arrives home, to the glorious shouts of the angels’ joy. He has done it. The mission is complete. He is back, now a Man, in His eternal dominion.
Earlier in the Gospel, Jesus tells His disciples, “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?”
Jesus is home–He has arrived home at what is now also our home. He is preparing a place for us, in His glory. Our sojourn on earth, in a way, is so simple, even though we complicate it terribly by focusing on earthly goals and measure our progress and success accordingly. Life on earth is simple: It is a clinging to Him, by dedication of time in our life to our relationship with Him, and giving Him our lives as acts of service to Him. Come what may, if we do these simple things, our lives are a success, and we will one day be home with Him.
Ideas for conversation with the Lord: Ask Jesus to bring you home, by safe passage. You, and all your loved ones.
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