It may have been that I was still too excited by Somerset’s weekend win over Essex, but I didn’t notice much attention being given to the fact that the Monday just gone was the first anniversary of the coronation of King Charles III.
But be that as it may, today is another day when an even more significant event in the life of a King is likely to be similarly overlooked by many.
Because today is Ascension Day – the day when Christians traditionally remember how, forty days after his resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven.
But it’s not just unbelievers who fail to notice that today is Ascension Day – frequently it passes unrecognised by Christians too.
It doesn’t help, of course, that it always falls on a Thursday, with no associated public holiday, but it is nonetheless odd that Ascension day is marked by so few. After all, Jesus himself said to the disciples who loved him so much, that his leaving them would be for their good, [John 16:7] – something which they seemingly understood given how, contrary to what might have been expected, his departure resulted in them returning to Jerusalem with ‘great joy’ [Luke 24:52]
So what is it about Jesus’ ascension that, today, should fill us with great joy too?
Well, simply this. Jesus’ ascension, as well as paving the way for way for the promised Holy Spirit, was not just to heaven. More than that it was to a throne – a throne on which Jesus still sits.
As such, no matter our current circumstances, we can be sure that the one who rules over us now is one who will do so, not only for all eternity [Isaiah 9:7] but with both ‘understanding and knowledge’ too. [Proverbs 28:2]. And he is one to whom we can gladly submit, confident that his rule is characterised by both justice and perfect righteousness.
And if that wasn’t enough to cheer us on our way, Jesus is also now kneeling before the Father, interceding for us as our great high priest. As such, as well as any prayers we may have offered up ourselves, if we are Christians, we can be sure that today Jesus is praying for us too.
Furthermore whilst we may not always know what to pray for, Jesus always does. And though our prayers are frequently weak his are always strong. For if the prayers of a righteous person have great power, [James 5:16], how much more power have the prayers of the perfectly righteous son of God.
In short, the prayers that Jesus prays for us are the most perfect prayers possible.
Therefore, because of Ascension Day, we have in heaven one who is both a King who wisely rules over us and a Priest who lovingly prays for us.
And that, to me at least, is something immensely reassuring and, therefore, something hugely worth remembering, and celebrating , too.
And that, to me at least, is something immensely reassuring and, therefore, something hugely worth remembering, and celebrating , too.
Even on a working Thursday!
Related posts/
To read ‘Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things? Rejoicing, though temporarily sorrowful, on Easter Day’, click here.
To read ‘Why do bad things happen to good people? Sorrowful yet always rejoicing on Good Friday’, click here
To read ‘What becomes of the broken hearted? Sorrowful yet always rejoicing on Palm Sunday’, click here
To read ‘An Advent Calendar – Complete’, click here
Some musings 
yes we have not usually celebrated the Ascension in our house (RC) but this year we had a vigil mass on Wednesday evening with the organ ,and
choir and it was very moving . Thank you Fr. Tom Dubois!
ed
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