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Christ Returns to His Father

The Ascension of our Lord, as described in Mark 16:19-20, Luke 24:50-53, and Acts 1:6-11, is a pivotal moment not just for Christ, but for all humanity. As St. Cyril of Alexandria so profoundly explains, what happened to Christ affects the entire human race. When Christ was raised to heaven, he didn't just go alone; he brought us with him into paradise. He secured a path, smoothed an impassable way, and opened heaven, which was once closed to mortal man. This act was a first for flesh to enter that pure and holy realm, presenting himself to the Father as the "first fruits" of humanity in heaven.

The angels themselves were astonished, questioning who this was coming from "Edom"—from the earth. Yet, the Spirit revealed the marvelous wisdom of God, commanding them to open the heavenly gates for the King of Glory. Christ, our Lord Jesus the Messiah, created a "new and living way" for us, entering not into a man-made sanctuary, but into heaven itself to appear before God on our behalf. This was not because Christ needed to present himself to the Father, for he is eternally one with Him. Rather, it was for us, so that in his human form, he might still obey the command to "Sit at my right hand" and transfer the glory of adoption to all humanity.

Because Christ was born as man, he is still one of us even as he sits at the right hand of God, far above all creation, yet consubstantial with the Father. He presented himself as man to the Father on our behalf, to restore us, who had been removed from the Father's presence by ancient sin, to again behold His face. He sits there as Son so that through him, we too may be called sons and children of God. Paul, through whom Christ speaks, emphasizes this profound truth: "God raised us up with him, and made us to sit with him in the heavenly places, in Christ." While sitting at the Father's side is Christ's unique prerogative as Son, his shared humanity confers on us the privilege of this dignity. Though we may not sit at the Father's side in the same way, Christ promised his holy disciples that they would sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Today, Christ has paved the way to the perfect joy of heaven for us, and one day we will join him. For Catholics, this profound reality should inspire a renewed sense of hope and purpose. The Ascension is not merely a historical event; it is a promise and a calling. Let us, therefore, live each day with the awareness of our heavenly destiny, striving to embody Christ's love and truth in the world, and actively participating in the sacraments and community life of the Church, which is a foretaste of the heavenly banquet.

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