Lifted with Him – A Word on the Feast of the Ascension
In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, One God. Amen.
May the blessing of the Father who calls us and His Only Begotten Son Jesus Christ who saves us, and the Holy Spirit who sanctifies and transforms us be with us all, that we may hear His word and bear fruit—thirty, sixty, and a hundredfold. Amen.
Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today is the Feast of the Ascension, a feast so glorious, so full of mystery, that the angels themselves rejoice with us. On this day, Christ did not only ascend into the heavens—He carried us with Him. Our nature, once fallen and cast down to the dust, is now seated at the right hand of the Father in glory.
St. John Chrysostom says it plainly:
“We who proved ourselves unworthy of the earth have today been raised up to heaven; we who were not even worthy of authority below have ascended to the kingdom on high.”
This is the love of Christ. He didn’t just save us from sin. He raised us above the angels.
1. He Ascended—We Ascend with Him
The Lord’s Ascension is not about His absence—it’s about His victory.
In the book of Acts, we read:
“Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.” (Acts 1:9, NKJV)
That cloud wasn’t just sky. It was glory. In the Old Testament, God sits upon the cloud (Isaiah 19:1). So when Christ ascends on a cloud, He is not being carried—He is enthroned.
Chrysostom explains:
“When it was the Son, it was a royal throne, and not just any royal throne, but that of the Father Himself.”
This is not a small moment. It is the coronation of the Son of Man, and in Him, the coronation of humanity.
2. From Dust to the Throne
Think of where we came from—dust, weakness, sin. Chrysostom reflects:
“We were dust and ash… more senseless than cattle… duller than rocks… children of the devil.”
He does not say this to shame us. He says it to exalt grace.
“This worthless nature, more senseless than anything, has today become exalted above all else.”
The angels who once guarded Paradise now rejoice to see man return—not only to Eden, but to heaven itself. They are not jealous. They are overjoyed.
“Today, the angels have received what they had long yearned for… our nature gleaming from the royal throne.”
Can we even grasp this mystery?
3. Christ: The Firstfruits of Our Race
Why did Christ ascend in the body? Why didn’t He just disappear?
Because He offered our human nature to the Father as firstfruits, just as in the Old Testament the first sheaf of grain was presented for the blessing of the whole harvest.
“Through this one flesh and offering of first-fruits He caused the entire human race to be blessed.” —St. John Chrysostom
It was not enough for Christ to rise. He had to present us, in Himself, before the throne. And the Father, marveling at the gift, welcomed it and said:
“Sit at My right hand.” (Psalm 110:1)
To whom did God say this? Not to angels. Not to the mighty. But to the very same nature that once heard: ‘Dust you are, and to dust you shall return.’
4. Ascend with Him Today
St. Paul writes:
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above… Set your mind on things above, not on the things on the earth.” (Colossians 3:1–2)
Christ ascended. But the question is: Did your heart ascend with Him?
Are you still weighed down with fear, distractions, or sorrow?
Let today be your turning point. Chrysostom calls us forward:
“Let those who are living in virtuous deeds be emboldened… and let those who remain in sins lament and be changed.”
This is a day of transformation. Rise with Him in faith, repentance, and hope.
5. Let Us Not Miss That Day
“There will be two men in a bed; one will be taken and the other left.” (Luke 17:34)
This is not about status—it’s about readiness.
“Neither is the rich man blessed nor the poor man pitiful. But whoever is deemed worthy of that rapture into the clouds is blessed and thrice blessed.” —St. John Chrysostom
Let us long for that day. Let us prepare for it. Let us live now with our hearts lifted to heaven.
Closing Prayer
O Lord Jesus Christ,
who ascended in glory to prepare a place for us,
lift our hearts to be with You always.
Let not the dust of this world blind our vision.
May we walk with You, die with You, and rise with You—
until the day we are gathered in the clouds,
not by worth, but by grace.
To You be glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
now and forever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
May the Lord bless us, transform our hearts and minds, that our homes may stand on the Rock, our hands serve in the harvest, and our hearts long for Heaven. Amen.