Acts of the Apostles Ch 1
‘Galileans, why are you standing there looking up at the sky?’
He had told them: ‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait there for the gift I told you about, the gift my Father promised….you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’
St Paul in Ephesians Ch 4
Each one of us has received a special gift in proportion to what Christ has given. As the scripture says,
‘When he went up to the very heights, he took many captives with him, he gave gifts to mankind.’ (Psalm 68:18)
Interpretation The captives were the souls of the righteous awaiting entry into heaven, the gifts are for witnesses until he comes again.
The church prays Gladden us with holy joys, and make us rejoice with devout thanksgiving, for the Ascension of Christ your Son is our exaltation, and, where the Head has gone before in glory, the Body is called to follow in hope.
That we his members might be confident of following where he our head and founder has gone before, Lord, hear us
Amen, alleluia!