The great Truths about Ascension

Gospel Thoughts

*Easter Season : Seventh Week*

 

*The Ascension of the Lord*

*The great Truths about Ascension*

*GOSPEL -  Lk 24:46-53*

*FIRST READING - Acts 1:1-11*

*SECOND READING Eph 1:17-23 or Heb 9:24-28; 10:19-23*

*1) There is Heaven*

First of all the great feast of Ascension, reveals the great fact about the Heaven 

Since Jesus as ascended to heaven, its very clear that there is Heaven and Jesus has gone to heaven 

To all those who donut about the existence of Heaven, this event becomes a powerful symbol to prove the existence of Heaven 

*2) There is a place in Heaven for everyone*

During the public ministry of Jesus, he has spoken many times about the Heaven 

In John 14:2-3 Jesus speaks about the Heaven *In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you*

*And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.*

This explanation of Jesus clearly reveals that there is a place i heaven for every one 

*3) Going to heaven is a joyful event*

In the Gospel of the day, we see that Jesus ascends to heaven 

*As he blessed them he parted from them and was taken up to heaven. They did him homage and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy,*

We see the disciples who were very joyful, when Jesus went up to heaven. 

So going to heaven is a joyful event and not a sad event 

*4) Heaven is always a place of Blessing*

We see that, Jesus is blessing His disciples, as He parted from them 

The blessing was the last link between Jesus and his disciples. 

We still believe that, Jesus who has gone to heaven, is sitting at the right hand of Father, is blessing His people at all times 

So heaven is always connected with, blessing and blessings only 

*5) Jesus is calling all of us into Heaven*

Jesus who has come from heaven and who has gone to heaven has prepared a place for us 

He is inviting all of us into heaven, in order to be with Him 

It is our duty to listen to his call, and to co-operate with him, in our journey towards heaven 

*6) We need the assistance to go to Heaven*

Only Jesus who has come from heaven, and who has gone to heaven can help us in our journey towards heaven 

On our own efforts we can't go to heaven. We need the assistance of Jesus in this journey. 

*“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.* John 14:6

*7) Jesus is the ladder to go to heaven*

Something which is high from us, can not be claimed unless we have a ladder for the same 

In our journey towards heaven, Jesus becomes a ladder for us to claim and to reach to heaven. 

*8) The Experience of Heaven*

While living on the earth we can experience what heaven is like 

A family where there is peace, forgiveness, adjustment, commitment, sacrifice, love is nothing but a place of heaven

When we do our duty sincerely without any reward, we feel a kind of happiness in life. That itself is heaven in our life 

After our sincere hardwork, when we achieve something in life, we feel joyful. Such an experience is called heaven in our lives. 

*9) We are called to create heaven in this earth*

This is the primary purpose of our life. 

If so, am I ready to create heaven in my life and in my surroundings? 

What can I do to create heaven in my family? 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*