Ascension to Heaven in His Glorified human Body.
The bodily Ascension into Heaven is understood as the final token of the Divine and Human Natures of Our Lord. Christ's Ascension into heaven is understood as necessary for the sending of the Holy Ghost at Pentecost. The biblical texts regarding the Ascension also prophesy the Second Coming of Christ, stating that Jesus will return not only in the same glorious manner, but in the same place. In other words, the Second Coming and Last Judgment will take place on the Mount of Olives.
The Disciples returned to Jerusalem with great joy after the Ascension for Our Lord had opened the door to Heaven for mankind, closed since the sin of Adam. By exalting human nature, Our Lord exalted our own human nature and made it capable of contemplating the Divine Nature. Our Lord promised to prepare a place for us in Heaven and to intercede with the Father for us.
We should rejoice on Ascension Thursday as Jesus told the Disciples “Your joy no man shall take from you.” Whenever we have tribulations, we shall exclaim with the Apostle: “I exceedingly abound with joy in all our tribulations.” Also: “Knowing that as you are partakers of His sufferings,
so shall you be also of His consolations.”
The Apostles were filled with courage after Ascension and strength against temptation. The martyred Apostles were filled with strength and joy and declared, “The sufferings of this time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come that shall be revealed in us.” Keep within your heart the fruits of this meditation about the Ascension that we may fill our hearts with inspirational thoughts indelibly impressed upon our hearts by Jesus, Our Lord.