But you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.
While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them.
They said, “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 1:8-11 NABRE)
Of course as humans we are immediately struck by the impossible made possible. We are captivated by the idea that this man, Jesus, could defy gravity and be lifted up off the ground and taken into the sky by a cloud. And we who believe in his resurrection from the dead are able to consider this story as more than fiction. And regardless of how he appeared to leave this physical world, we believe he is alive and with the Father even today. And we believe he will return at the end of time.
Let's not overlook the powerful promise of Jesus' return. And let us live today as if it will be the day he comes back.
Today, on this Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, I will remember that Jesus will return in triumph.
Saint Hilary of Arles, who brought the energy of youth to your ministry, pray for us.
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