The Ascension. Thursday. (Acts 1:1–12; Lk. 24:36–53)

St. Paul expresses the power of the Lord’s Ascension thus: ”When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive and gave gifts to men” (Eph. 4:8).

Having satisfied the righteousness of God, the Lord opened for us all the treasures of God’s goodness. This is the captivity—the spoils of victory. The first distribution of these spoils to mankind was the descent of the Holy Spirit, who, having once descended, abides in the Church forever and gives to each one what he needs, drawing everything from those same spoils once captured. Come, everyone, and take. But prepare a treasury—a pure heart; have the hands with which to take—a faith that does not waver; and draw near with a seeking, hoping, and persistent prayer.