June 27

Ascension Day

Jesus appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen Him after He was risen. S. Mark 16:14.

TO-DAY we contemplate our blessed Lord ascending into heaven, and taking His seat at the right hand of God. After He rose from the dead, He continued on earth so long as was necessary to afford sufficient proof of His victory over death, by showing Himself alive to chosen witnesses. When this was done, He at length returned to His glory with the Father. It is humbling to think that after His resurrection His disciples should have given Him occasion to upbraid "them for their unbelief and hardness of heart." These reproaches, however, were not His last words. He was too compassionate to leave His disciples with words of reproof. His last action and last words are, "And He lifted up His hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while He blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven." He came into the world to bless it, even to bless us, in turning away every one of us from his iniquities. In the act of blessing those whom He had loved and kept so faithfully, He left the world.

'Mid wondering Angels without end, Th' eternal doors are open wide; While Man and God Thou dost ascend, To set Thee at Thy Father's side.

Our one High Priest, our Advocate, Our Intercessor there on high, Offering for us without the gate The blood of boundless charity.

Thence Thou Thy bride dost here adorn, And cherish her in her unrest, And she, when harassed and forlorn, Reclines upon Thy faithful breast.