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<\/a>Angels tell the gaping <\/em>disciples that \u201cthis Jesus\u201d has been taken into <\/em>Hea<\/em>v<\/em>en.\u00a0<\/em>St. Augustine says that the angels are emphasizing that it is the very <\/em>same Jesus <\/em>whose body they saw broken on the Cross and buried in the tomb\u2014the \u00a0<\/em>sa<\/em>me <\/em>J<\/em>esus who will <\/em>come again, but who, even in Heaven, <\/em>is always with them.<\/em><\/p>\n\u201cGod has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet\u201d (Ps. 46:5).<\/p>\n
The disciples wondered in joy, seeing him whose death they had mourned going up into Heaven.<\/p>\n
Angels preached the Ascension of the Lord. They saw the disciples when their Lord ascended, lingering in wonder, confused, saying nothing but rejoicing in their hearts, and then came the sound of the trumpet, the clear voice of the angels: \u201cMen of Galilee, why do you stand looking into Heaven? This Jesus\u2026\u201d (Acts 1:11)\u2014as if they didn\u2019t know it was the same Jesus. Hadn\u2019t they just seen him in front of them? Hadn\u2019t they heard him speaking with them? In fact, they didn\u2019t just see him with them: they had touched his arms. So didn\u2019t they know by themselves that it was the same Jesus?<\/p>\n
But they were out of their minds with wonder and joyous celebration; and that\u2019s why the angels specifically said \u201cthis Jesus<\/em>.\u201d It was as if they were saying, \u201cIf you believe him, this is the same Jesus who was crucified, and your feet stum- bled\u2014who was dead and buried, and you thought your hope was lost. This is the same Jesus<\/em>. He has gone up before you. He will come in the same way you have seen him go into Heaven. His body is taken away from your sight, it\u2019s true, but God is not separated from your hearts. See him going up. Believe in him when he isn\u2019t here. Hope for his coming. But yet, through his secret mercy, feel him present. <\/em>For although he ascended into Heaven and was taken away from your sight, yet he promised you, \u201cLo, I am with you always, to the close of the age\u201d (Matt. 28:20). \u2013St. Augustine, Exposition on Psalm 47<\/em>, 6<\/p>\n IN GOD\u2019S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .<\/strong><\/p>\n Do I go to the angels for help in understanding the mysteries of Christ\u2019s life? Do I ask my guardian angel to accompany me as I pray the rosary or read the Scriptures?<\/p>\n CLOSING PRAYER<\/strong><\/p>\n Angel of God, open my eyes, that <\/em>I may see the Lord\u2019s mysteries as you do.<\/em><\/p>\n __________________________________________________________________________________________
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