Losing the physical presence of a loved one is difficult to bear. We typically want our loved ones to stay with us and remain by our side for the rest of our lives on earth.
This can cause us profound grief as we mourn the loss of someone we love and think about all the times we spent in their company.
The apostles could have had a similar emotion, as they saw Jesus die, get buried, rise from the dead, and then remain with them for 40 days.
The last 40 days would have been a precious time of grace walking and talking with the Risen Jesus. Many of them likely would have wanted Jesus to stay with them always. When they witnessed his Ascension, it would have been tempting to become saddened again and be despairing at the loss of Jesus' bodily presence.
Yet, according to Pope Benedict XVI, the day of Jesus' Ascension was a day of joy.
Hope and joy
Pope Benedict XVI reflected on the Ascension during a Regina Caeli address in 2012:
St. Leo the Great explains that with this mystery “not only is the immortality of the soul proclaimed, but also that of the body. Today in fact, not only are we confirmed as possessors of paradise, but in Christ have also penetrated the heights of Heaven” This is why the disciples, when they saw the Master rise from the ground and ascend upwards, they were not disheartened, as one might expect, instead, they were overcome with joy and felt compelled to proclaim Christ’s victory over death (cf. Mk 16:20).
Instead of making them sad, it made them rejoice to know that they too would follow Jesus some day when God called them from this life to the next.
Jesus' Ascension provided the apostles the hope that they too could penetrate the heights of Heaven and be united again with their beloved Friend and Master for all eternity.
Pope Benedict XVI continues with this reflection, noting how Jesus' Ascension should lift our hearts to Heaven:
Dear friends, the Ascension tells us that in Christ our humanity is brought to the heights of God; thus, every time we pray, earth is united to Heaven. And like incense, burning, its scent is carried on high, hence, when we raise our prayer to the Lord with confidence in Christ, it travels across Heaven and reaches God himself and is heard and answered by Him.
The Ascension is truly "good news" and is an essential part of the Gospel message, showing us that this life is not the end of our story, but only the beginning.
