THE EXALTATION OF JESUS CHRIST

FEAST OF THE ASCENSION - Ephesians 4:1-13

In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul quotes the Psalm 68:18, saying: “When he ascended on high he led a host of captives” (ESV), and then Paul goes on to explain that the one who ascended is the one who had descended “right down to the lower regions of the earth”. (Eph 4:9). The hymn in the letter to the Philippians speaks as well of this swing movement: coming down (descending) and going up (ascending):

“Though he was in the form of God,

did not regard equality with God

as something to be exploited,

 but emptied himself,

taking the form of a slave,

being born in human likeness.

And being found in human form,

 he humbled himself

and became obedient to the point of death—

even death on a cross.

 Therefore God also highly exalted him

and gave him the name

that is above every name,

 so that at the name of Jesus

every knee should bend,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

 and every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.”

Ascension means the exaltation of Jesus Christ or the return to the glory of the Father, that belonged to him, since he is one with the Father. But we cannot forget that the celebration of the Ascension implies as well a proclamation of faith on the incarnation. We believe that Jesus is the Son of the living God, born of a woman, so that he may share our life and carry the burden of our sins. He shared our condition, in order to set us free and open the gates of heaven for us. As he passes through the gates of heaven, he leaves them open for us, so that being one with him, we may go in to share in his glory.

Paul says that Jesus ascended as a conqueror, entering the heavenly city with the whole horde of the enemies that oppressed us. Being victorious, Jesus Christ will flood us with his gifts, mainly with the greatest gift of all, which is the source of all other gifts: the Holy Spirit.

Let us celebrate this feast with great joy, because our Lord Jesus Christ has a place prepared for us and he will call us to ascend to him and to be with him in the glory of the Father.