The Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord | Thursday 18 May 2023

Today is Thursday the 18th 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 into the sky? The Lord will return, just as you have seen him ascend. Alleluia.”

Viri Galilaei, quid statis aspicientes in coelum?
Hic Jesus, qui assumptus est a vobis in coelum,
sic veniet, quemadmodum vidistis eum euntem in coelum. Alleluja.
Ascendit Deus in jubilatione, et Dominus in voce tubae. Alleluja.
Dominus in coelo paravit sedem suam. Alleluja.


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.
God is ascended with jubilee, and the Lord with the sound of trumpet. Alleluia.
The Lord hath prepared his throne in heaven. Alleluia.

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.


Matthew 28:16-20

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’

As Jesus prepares to leave his disciples, he commissions them to take his message to everyone.

Who has brought the message of Jesus to me?

I thank God for them now.

‘…remember, I am with you always’ - says Jesus.

How do I feel knowing that Jesus will always be with me?

What do I want to say in response to this promise?

I say it now.

As I listen to the passage again, I imagine myself in the scene - being sent by Jesus to make new disciples.

In these final moments of quiet, I allow myself to be held by Jesus - who promises to be with me always.

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.