"Purifying Power of His Name"

The Ascension is not about Jesus’ evacuation to a remote place. It’s about Him being seated at God’s right hand far above all rule, authority and power, and filling all things everywhere with Himself (Eph 1:20-23). He had promised to be “with you always, even to the end of the age.” Far from being absent, He is now more fully present and accessible.

The Eucharistic Prayer for Ascension Day (and today) says He ascended and passed beyond our sight, not to abandon us but to be our hope, so that where He has gone, we hope to follow. Where? To a higher realm, behind the veil, not limited by space, time, matter or earthly power. There, at the unveiling, freed from the corruption of sin and death, we shall sing God’s glory with every creature. That is our blessed hope.