Ascended into Heaven, He sits at the Right Hand of the God Almighty
What great, joyous news! The mother was sobbing with tears of joy, when the word arrived indicating that her missing son was healthy and would soon return home to her. As joyful as she was upon knowing of her son’s safety and good health, the mother lamented in tears and, with a slight bit of frustration, exclaimed, “Oh, why isn’t he here right now so I can see and hug him.” Her relatives and friends consoled her by assuring her that her son would indeed be home soon; he will be returning to his home, his source of being. Her wish to see him and hug him will be fulfilled.
On the fortieth (40th) day after his Resurrection, Jesus gave assurances to his apostles that he would be with them to the end of time. Then, before their eyes, He ascended to heaven, to his father; Jesus was returning to his starting point, to his place of origin, to be with his father. The human Jesus was the first person with a human nature to enter heaven. He would now prepare a place for all those humans who follow him. Yes, that does include you and I. What great, joyous news….mankind can be united with God in heaven, in paradise. Jesus paved the way for all of us to enter into God’s domain….and as adopted sons and daughters through Jesus Christ. What a thoroughly wonderful gift….the opportunity to be a son / daughter of God!!! Peter Kreeft noted in his Fundamental s of the Faith , “The Ascension completes Resurrection. By ascending, Christ takes humanity to heaven as his trophy. Our place at his table is waiting for us. Heaven will not seem strange, but home.”
Heaven is not a place but rather a state of being with God, man’s creator and benefactor. It is being happy with Jesus and all the other humans, who have chosen wisely during their lives in deciding for Jesus Christ. As politicians often say, “Decisions have consequences.” The choices each of us makes during our lives determine our destiny. Choose Jesus and his Church! He promised to “prepare a place for us.”
Jesus, similar to the mother rejoicing the return of her son, will rejoice in hugging us as we join Him in heaven.
Suggested Reading
Kreeft, Peter (2009-10-29). Fundamentals Of The Faith (p. 131). Ignatius Press. Kindle Edition.
“Credo” by Hans Urs Von Balthasar, Ignatius Press, section on the Ascension.