God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord. Psalm 47:6/9
St. Augustine said, “Today our Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven; let our hearts ascend with him.” What does this mean to you, to have your heart ascend with Christ? In the Mass, during the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the celebrant prompts, “Lift up your hearts.” We respond, “We lift them up to the Lord.” This is a small way that we can consciously help our heart ascend with Christ. We lift up our hearts as an offering, a “living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God” (Romans 12:1). In offering God our hearts, we offer our whole selves, the core of our person, the seat of our emotions. We offer our whole hearts to God in this simple act during Mass.
Our hearts also ascend with Christ when our thoughts and actions are centered on eternal things rather than just earthly things. St. Paul wrote, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:1-3). What are these “that are above”? These are eternal, such as God, heaven, the saints, our souls, and the souls of others. There are also things that are transcendental, like the good, the true, and the beautiful. Contemplating these things leads us closer to God. These are the things that are immortal. Many earthly things, like our jobs, sports, and projects, are good things, but they are temporal, only temporary. They should not occupy all of our minds; there should be time spent on the eternal. St. Paul is saying to set your mind on the eternal first, then the good things of the earth will be in their proper places.
This week, occasionally remind yourself that Christ has risen from the dead and ascended to His throne in heaven. He is seated there and intercedes for us (Hebrews 9:24). May our hearts truly ascend to heaven with Christ.
Jesus, help my heart ascend with yours to heaven. Help me when I lose my heavenly focus to set my heart on the things that are above.
Readings for the Solemnity of the Ascension of Christ – May 16, 2021
- Acts 1:1-11
- Psalm 47:2-9
- Ephesians 1:17-23
- Matthew 16:15-20