The Paschal Mystery—Christ’s Passion, Death, Resurrection, and Glorious Ascension—is not just a story of the past. It is the living foundation of our hope, our identity, and our destiny as Catholics.
After triumphing over death, Jesus appeared to His apostles for forty days, teaching them, comforting them, preparing them.
“He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.”
— Acts 1:3
And then, at the appointed time, He gathered them once more—His closest friends, His Church’s first shepherds. With love in His eyes and power in His words, He gave them His final commission:
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses… to the ends of the earth.”
— Acts 1:8
And then, in one majestic moment, He was lifted up before them, and a cloud took Him from their sight (Acts 1:9). The Lord ascended—not merely leaving, but entering the glory of Heaven, where He reigns in His glorified humanity, forever united with the Father.
“Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky?
This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven
will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.”
— Acts 1:11
What Does This Mean for Us?
The Ascension is not the end—it is the beginning of our mission and the assurance of our inheritance.
“In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places… I am going to prepare a place for you.”
— John 14:2
Jesus, our High Priest, has entered once and for all into the heavenly sanctuary (cf. Hebrews 9:12). There, He stands as our eternal mediator, interceding for us with love that never sleeps (cf. Romans 8:34).
As the Head of the Body, Christ goes ahead of us into the Father’s house so that where He is, we may also be (John 14:3). We are not alone. He is near, even as He is exalted. And He did not leave us orphans—He promised and sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within us, to guide, strengthen, and empower His Church (cf. John 14:16–17; Acts 2:1–4).
Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 665–667) reminds us:
“Christ’s ascension marks the definitive entrance of Jesus’ humanity into God’s heavenly domain.”
He is there as man and God, interceding for you, for your salvation, your healing, your sanctification.
“Jesus Christ, the head of the Church, precedes us into the Father’s glorious kingdom so that we… may live in the hope of one day being with him forever.”
The Ascension Is the Triumph of Love
The world may forget Him.
But He has not forgotten us.
He is coming again in glory.
And until then, He walks with us in the Eucharist, speaks to us through His Word, and strengthens us through the Spirit.
The Ascension is not just about Christ going up—
It’s about lifting us up with Him.
It’s about living with eyes fixed on Heaven, and hearts burning with mission.
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth…
For your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
— Colossians 3:2–3
