The Ascension of Jesus
Is A Peaceful Reminder
That
Heaven Is The
Ultimate Goal Of Life...
"I shall go, and prepare a place for you,
I will come again, and will take you to myself;
that where I am, you also may be."
-John 14:3
There are many artistic renditions of the Rosary mystery, the Ascension. Choose one that most inspires you and keep this scene in mind as you recite the Rosary prayers and meditate on this third of the Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary.
You will find that your meditations on the Rosary are greatly enhanced as you familiarize yourself with the events in the life of Jesus.
For forty days since the Resurrection, Jesus lived among the apostles.
He ate with them and taught them new things concerning the Kingdom of God.
One evening as the remaining eleven were eating dinner, Jesus appeared to them. He reproached them for their lack of faith.
They were being stubborn and refused to believe those who had seen Jesus alive after the Resurrection and were locked in a room for fear of Jesus' enemies.
"And he said to them: Go ye into the whole world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be condemned."
-Mark 16:15-16.
But before they were to do these things, they had to wait for the promised coming of the Holy Spirit Who would give them the strength they needed to carry out their mission.
Some of them asked Him, "Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?" -Acts 1:6
"But he said to them: It is not for you to know the times or moments, which the Father hath put in his own power: But you shall receive the power of the Holy Ghost coming upon you, and you shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the uttermost part of the earth." -Acts 1:7-8
They all then went out to a field, then as He was blessing them, He went up into a cloud and vanished from their sight.
Suddenly two angels were in their midst and asked them...
"Ye men of Galilee, why stand you looking up to heaven? This Jesus who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come, as you have seen him going into heaven."
-Acts 1:11
The Bible passages for the Ascension were taken from the timeless Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible.
If you are looking for a more modern language version of the Ascension, our recommendation would be the St. Ignatius Press Bible.
Most of what is recounted above about the Ascension, can be found in scripture here.
Return to Glorious Mysteries page
More Meditations
On The Rosary Mystery
The Ascension...
You will find at different times in your life, different things will inspire you. Something that you dismissed today may seem profound to you in a week, a month or even in years to come.
Below you will find some more reflections on the Ascension mystery of the rosary.
Return often to this page when you are praying the Glorious Mystery of the rosary - The Ascension. Make sure you bookmark this page so you can find it easily...
You can also contribute your own meditations on this Rosary mystery by going here...
Below are some meditations to think about as you pray...
Just imagine the apostles staring in awe upwards toward heaven for many minutes after Jesus disappeared.
Ponder what they must have felt.
Try putting yourself there among them and think of the majesty of heaven and those who live there; Jesus, our Lord, Mary mother of Jesus, and all the saints.
These encouraging thoughts will help you find peace as you lovingly embrace the crosses life has in store for you and will make you eager to unite them to Jesus' cross.
Jesus rebuked the apostles because they were hiding from His enemies.
It is amazing that they were still unwilling to believe in Him even after He had risen and His Almighty power had been demonstrated.
And yet many even in our time still do not believe.
After 2,000 years, His Church is still visible but many attack her.
Jesus went off alone to pray.
It is important for you to have quiet, secluded time to speak with God.
When Jesus ascended into heaven, the apostles were sad.
But Jesus did promise to send them the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit would strengthen them and give them comfort.
He would remain with the Church forever. No evil or wickedness will ever prevail against the Catholic Church because the Holy Spirit guides it.
Although some will and do try, the Church will not be destroyed because of the very words
of Jesus himself...
"Upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." -Matthew 16:18
The apostles continued to think Jesus was going to restore the temporal kingdom of Israel.
Perhaps they were wanting to be glorified on earth as princes while Jesus was King.
They didn't realize that the Kingship of Christ must reign in peoples' hearts.
Maybe you are like this in some ways.
Ask yourself, am I too attached to earthly comforts or honor and power?
The last instructions Jesus gave was to go out and preach the Gospel to all nations.
The best way you can do this is by example.
Am I leading a life that reflects my belief in Jesus.
Others will see this and follow your good example and soon they too will have a deep faith in Jesus and His Church.
Jesus blessed the apostles before His ascension to heaven.
To receive His blessing, make sure you are present at the Benediction of the Blessed.
Heaven is everyone's ultimate goal.
But what is heaven? A place? A state of being?
St. Paul said he had "a desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ" -Philippians 1:23
Heaven therefore can be best described as union with Jesus.
Let Jesus' Ascension serve as a reminder that your years on earth are short compared to the eternity you will either spend in heaven or you know where.
Jesus is in heaven now waiting for you.
He completed His mission.
He redeemed mankind and overcame the devil.
The angels interrupted the apostles rapture as they looked up where Jesus had ascended.
They told the apostles that He would come again.
Their thoughts of Jesus and supernatural things were interrupted and they soon remembered Jesus last words...
"Go ye into the whole world, and preach the gospel to every creature."
They had work to do!
Be sure to never let your spiritual thoughts cause you neglect your duties.
Remember your vocation, the life God called you to live.
You must faithfully fulfill your duties if you are to be rewarded in the next life.
The Ascension assures you that now Jesus is in heaven, seated at the right hand of God the Father.
He is there ready to receive your prayers and praise and to intercede for your every need.
You truly are lucky that you can go to Mass and worship Jesus just as the apostles did when He was in their midst.
For Jesus is truly present there under the appearance of bread and wine.
"Thy prayers and thy alms are ascended for a memorial in the sight of God." -Acts 10:4
Ascend in spirit to God by praying often.
You can accomplish this through your Rosary prayers and meditations.
For it is pleasing indeed to God for you to meditate on the events in the life of Jesus.
Prayer After Meditation
Upon The Ascension...
Dear Lord Jesus, Thou hast so gloriously ascended into heaven to show all that heaven is where Thou art and is where I too may one day be if I follow Thy commandments.
I thank Thee for all Thy teachings and for becoming a man for love of me.
When I recall my many offenses I am truly sorry. Thou hast done so much for me and I continue to offend Thee by my sins.
I will strive to no longer sin so that when my time on earth is done, I will be united with Thee and Thy Holy Mother in heaven.
I ask Thee to increase my hope so that I can continue striving to become more holy. And so that no matter how weary my path, I will think of my ultimate goal of heaven and keep a happy and peaceful heart.
Amen.
Visit the third Glorious Mystery page - Descent of the Holy Spirit
Return to the first Glorious Mystery page - The Resurrection
Return to our Rosary Mysteries page
More scriptural meditations on the rosary - The Ascension here...
Catholic Mysteries Of The Rosary
Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary
The Joyful Mysteries are taken mostly from St. Luke's Gospel in the New Testament. They involve the joyful events of Jesus' childhood. The most joyful event in all of human history is the Incarnation or when God became man and dwelt among us read more...
Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary
What a gift the the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary are. Meditating on these
Mysteries of Light bring even deeper understanding of the public life of Jesus.
They fill in the blanks between Jesus' childhood and His suffering and death on
the cross. Therefore read more...
Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary
The Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary remind you of how much Jesus
loves you. He suffered and died for you. "Greater love than this no
man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
-John 15:13. You are loved by Jesus read more...
Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary
The Glorious Mysteries are the crown of Jesus' triumphs. How
exhilarating to know that Jesus is God and that He rose from the dead,
making you an heir to Heaven. Reminding yourself of these glorious
events as you pray the Rosary prayer will keep your faith alive and strong read more...
Return to our Origin of the Rosary page
Return to our What is a Rosary page
Return to our Meditations on the Rosary page
Return to Catholic Rosary Prayers page
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