The Collect for the Solemnity of the Ascension is:
“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. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.”
Reflection
We do not look for a merely earthly joy or worldly form of celebration. Rather, we ask to rejoice with devout thanksgiving. As we ask for this, we recall the reason why, which is that Christ’s ascension is our victory as well. Our prayer continues to recall why we rejoice. Jesus Christ is the head and now sits in heavenly Glory. Because he Christ the Head took our human nature up to heaven, we, the Body of Christ, can now hope to one day share in heavenly Glory and in the inner life of love that is the Trinity.
So, for your daily contribution to the Church’s collection of prayer,
Meditate on the reality of a Human Being entering heaven to reign with God forever. Imagine the glory and the joy that this must mean. Give thanks to God for making this possible through the Ascension and pray for the grace to keep your hope where it belongs, in heaven. Then spiritually unite that prayer to all the Masses throughout the world today. That way, when the priest says “Let us pray,” you can be a part of that “us” even if you don’t get to attend Mass.
{It is Sunday, so I hope you can make it!}