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'Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.'
Psalm 119:105
The Ascension is the third event in the cycle of crucifixion-resurrection-ascension in which our Lord’s life on earth culminates with his being raised to live and reign gloriously with God forever. The concept of Jesus saying goodbye to the disciples and ascending to God in heaven is an opportunity to reflect upon the importance of how we live our lives on earth.
From the Ascension we understand that:
- Jesus is Lord in heaven, but he is also Lord in our hearts.
- We do not have to be afraid of dying because Jesus has gone ahead to prepare a place for us in heaven with those who love God.
- We know and feel real things we cannot see, like our parents’ and friends’ love.
- The disciples needed to say goodbye to Jesus, and as Jesus left them, they turned closer to each other, to learn more about Jesus and to let others know about the Jesus who awaits them in heaven.
You can read the accounts of the ascension of Jesus in the following passages:
- Matthew 28:16-20
- Mark 16:19
- Luke 24:50-53
- Acts 1:9-11
- John 14:1-11 (Jesus’ farewell discourse – he prepares our place)
