The Ascension

For 40 days, we prepared ourselves for the raising of Lazarus. Another 10 days, we spent Fasting in anticipation for Holy Week. For 40 days, we spent basking in the glory of the Light of the Sun of Righteousness, Jesus Christ, Who is Risen from the Dead! But now, it is time for Him to complete His saving mission by ascending into Heaven. The Ascension of Christ into Heaven, though it is bittersweet because He now departs from us, is to be commemorated with great joyousness. It is for the reason that He sends the Holy Spirit down onto us that He ascends to His Father. This, He spake to His disciples before His crucifixion. So now He ascends into Heaven and soon the Holy Spirit will descend. The Ascension is not simply the end of Pascha and the beginning of the new season. The Paschal Feast is celebrated year-round every single Sunday we are at Divine Liturgy. But now, the Holy Spirit and the work of the Holy Spirit is to be amplified in the liturgy as well.

This is a beautiful moment for the Christian. For without the Ascension into Heaven, we cannot become connected to the Glory of God by partaking in the Holy Spirit. It is for the sake of the Holy Spirit that the Son ascends. This is the glory of the Son to desire humility and allow the Holy Spirit to be sent down upon us. In 10 days, we will commemorate Pentecost, the birthday of the Church. But the birthday was not the beginning of the Church. The Church was already conceived in the womb when Christ spoke unto Peter and established the Church upon the Rock of the Confession of St. Peter. Having conceived, the Church needs to be born. So now the delivery of the Church is prepared and the birthday shall soon occur. First Christ ascends. Then the Holy Spirit shall descend.

And the Holy Spirit cannot descend unless the Son first ascend. Christ’s ascension into Heaven makes way for the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is present among the priests of the Church who continue to offer the sacrifice of the Body and Blood of Christ that has been offered once and for all. The Holy Spirit seals us into communion with the Death and Resurrection of Christ. The Holy Spirit leads us to Christ Himself. One cannot have one member of the Trinity without having all of the members of the Trinity. Christ wanted to show us the fullness of the Trinity so He did not leave us empty-handed when He returned to the Father. He gave His disciples the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit shall be the One to empower and deliver us now and He shall unite us all to Christ.

So while the moment is bittersweet, we reflect in anticipation of the reception of the glorious gift of the Holy Spirit’s involvement in both the Church and in our own lives. We anticipate the birth of the Church, the conversion of the nations, and the communing of the Body and Blood of Christ. Christ is ascended into Heaven today. But He is not leaving us orphans. He sends now the Holy Spirit our way. The Holy Spirit has been given to us as our advocate and He is a powerful advocate at that!

O Christ God, You have ascended in Glory, granting joy to Your disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit. Through the blessing they were assured that You are the Son of God, the Redeemer of the world!

Ascension Troparion