This weekend we commemorate the Ascension of our Lord into heaven. In our Collect Prayer (Opening Prayer) in Mass we pray, “Gladden us with holy joys, almighty God, and make us rejoice with devout thanksgiving for the Ascension of Christ your Son is our exaltation, and where the Head has gone before in glory, the Body is called to follow in hope.” There is a lot in this short prayer. First, notice what we are asking of God the Father. We are asking that he “Gladden us with holy joys.” The world never promises us anything like this. What does the world offer? Excitement, physical pleasure, convenience, emotional sensations, riches, power, fame… In other words, nothing that lasts or is truly fulfilling. What are holy joys? First, notice that there is not just one “joy”; it is plural. These are the joys that come from God – peace, love, contentment, belonging, redemption, eternal life, true fulfillment, true knowledge, union with God, etc. None of these joys can be eaten by moths, rot or go stale, go out of style or fashion, or are subject to economic and political winds. As Pope Leo reminded us in his Inaugural Homily and in the words of St. Augustine, “Our hearts are restless until they rest in thee O God!” God, and God alone, is our true joy and fulfillment.
Then, in the Prayer, we ask, “make us rejoice with devout thanksgiving”. Our joy and gladness is not static, but rather dynamic. Our holy joys cause us to respond to God with devout thanksgiving. We desire to love God even more and thank God with even greater devotion and appreciation. Why? Because Jesus, our Head, has ascended, we, His Body, the Church, are being called to follow! Where has the Head gone to which we hope to follow? Well, to heavenly glory! Our destiny is not simply to die and fall into the dark abyss of eternity. In Jesus, true God and true man, humanity has entered into the light of eternal glory! Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and ascension, give us hope! This hope is not just for a brighter future after death. This hope gives us joy and life right now, in this present life.
The Paschal Mystery changes us now and offers us new life right now! The holy joys that we seek are not just for later. Our life with God in Jesus, His Son, and the joys of that life are possible for all men and women even in the midst of the trials and struggles of this life. The paradox of being a follower of Jesus, as it is with Jesus himself, is that divine glory and the joy it brings has already erupted into our fallen and sinful world. This world has already been redeemed by the suffering, death and resurrection, of Jesus. God’s glory is already shining in us, our families, and the Church! Is it sometimes hidden by our sinfulness and the sinfulness of others? Yes, but God’s glory is still here and God’s plan cannot be deterred or derailed. The cross of Jesus is our hope! The resurrection of Jesus is our hope! The Ascension of Jesus is our hope! The glory of Jesus is our hope! For His glory is our glory! Because of this we rejoice today and always! Happy Ascension!