The Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord | Thursday 26 May 2022

Today is Thursday the 26th of May, the Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord.

The monks of Glenstal Abbey sing Viri Galilei, the Antiphon for the Feast of the Ascension. “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into the sky? The Lord will return, just as you have seen him ascend. Alleluia.”
Viri Galilaei, quid admiramini aspicientes in caelum? Alleluia.
Quemadmodum vidistis eum ascendentem in caelum, ita veniet, Alleluia.
Omnes gentes plaudite manibus:
jubilate Deo in voce exultationis.
Ye men of Galilee, why stand you looking into heaven? Alleluia.
He shall so come as you have seen him going into heaven. Alleluia.
All ye Nations clap hands:
make jubilation to God in the voice of exultation.


Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.
Luke 24.46-53
Jesus said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And 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.’
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 worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God.

On this Ascension Day, I imagine myself with Jesus at Bethany.

What it is like to be with Jesus on this day?
Who is there with me?
Am I excited? Anxious? Or something else?

Jesus lifts his hands and blesses us.
How am I feeling now?

As he blesses me, he catches my eye.
What does Jesus say to me?
How do I respond?

As I listen again, I imagine Jesus withdrawing and being carried up to heaven.

As this time of prayer comes to an end I ask to be filled with the Spirit, so that I might be a faithful witness to Jesus.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.