The Ascension is one of the important days of the liturgical year, but why is it important? What exactly is it? In this episode of On the Road to Perfection, Mom and Dad talk about why the Ascension means so much to the Church.

Jesus’ Ascension is the last time the Apostles see Him. He ascends beyond their comprehension into Heaven, just as it says in the Nicene Creed. If Jesus had stayed on Earth, he would have been doing humanity a disservice, as Dad points out, and we would be less of the united Catholic Church we are, and more of a cult following of Jesus.

Jesus did everything for a reason, and every reason was for the greater good and salvation of the human race. The Apostles were like a couple of dutiful kids when their parents aren’t home. The Beatitudes and the other teachings were the notes on the fridge. They then spent ten days going over what they had to do to be ready for the return of Jesus. Instead of Jesus, though, they got the Holy Spirit, which you can learn more about in our Pentecost podcast from last year!

By Ascending into heaven, Jesus gave the Apostles one last in-person teaching: prepare for what is to come. We do not know the day, nor the hour when Jesus returns or when we go to Him, but we do know how to prepare and thanks to John’s writings in Revelation, we know what to prepare for.

The Solemnity of the Ascension of our LORD is celebrated and commemorated each year by the Church. We should celebrate it, too!