The Ascension of Christ: a Catholic celebration, a universal message

Today is Ascension Day, a day that holds deep spiritual significance for many Catholic fellow Christians. Although we, as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, do not celebrate this day in the same way with specific church services, it is an excellent opportunity to reflect on a crucial moment in the Savior's ministry: his ascension. What exactly happened, why is it so important for Catholics, and what lessons can we draw from it?

What do Catholics celebrate with Ascension?

For our Catholic friends, Ascension Day, traditionally forty days after Easter, marks the moment when Jesus Christ, after his miraculous resurrection, bodily ascended into heaven. This is not just a footnote in his story, but the solemn conclusion of his earthly mission.

Some key ideas in Catholic theology on this are:

• Completion and glorification: The Ascension symbolizes the end of Jesus’ visible presence on earth and his triumphant return to the Father, where He takes His place in divine glory.
• The way opened: Through His Ascension, Jesus has opened the gate to heaven for humanity. It is a promise that we too, after this life, can be with God.
• Harbinger of the Spirit: The Ascension is seen as a necessary step for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, which would equip the apostles for their mission.
• Continuous intercession: From heaven, Jesus intercedes for us with the Father.
• The promise of return: The images of angels proclaiming that Jesus will return as He departed are inextricably linked to the ascension.

In many countries, it is an official holiday, often celebrated with masses and sometimes with local traditions symbolizing the event.

Our perspective on the Ascension as Latter-day Saints

For us too, the ascension of Jesus Christ is a fundamental and literal point of faith. The Prophet Joseph Smith emphasized that the testimony of the apostles and prophets concerning Jesus Christ – that He died, was buried, resurrected, and ascended into heaven – is the foundation of our religion.

What can we learn from this and how does it relate to our understanding?

1. A literal, physical return: Like Catholics, we believe that Jesus ascended into heaven with His resurrected, perfected, physical body of flesh and bones (see Luke 24:36–39; Acts 1:9–11). This is not an abstract concept, but a testimony to the reality of the resurrection and the eternal nature of our own future, resurrected body. Jesus' ascension in human form is our assurance that we, likewise with a resurrected body, can come into God's presence.
2. The ministry after the resurrection: The Scriptures, including the Book of Mormon, testify of an active ministry of Christ during the forty days after His resurrection. He taught His apostles about the 'Kingdom of God' (Acts 1:3). For us, the appearance of the resurrected Christ to the Nephites (3 Nephi) is powerful evidence of His universal love and ministry, even after His resurrection and before His ultimate ascension.
3. The coming of the Comforter: We also believe that the Holy Spirit could only be poured out in its fullness after Jesus' ascension. Jesus' own words confirm this: 'For if I do not go away, the Comforter will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you' (John 16:7). This underscores the essential role of the Holy Spirit as our guide and revelator.
4. The hope for our own 'ascension' – exaltation: Hoewel de term ‘hemelvaart’ specifiek naar Christus verwijst, resoneert het onderliggende concept diep in onze leer. Het vooruitzicht om terug te keren naar Gods tegenwoordigheid en een volheid van vreugde en heerlijkheid te ontvangen – wat wij verhoging noemen – is een centraal doel. Christus’ hemelvaart is het goddelijke voorbeeld en de garantie dat dit mogelijk is voor wie zijn evangelie volgt.
5. Focus on the Second Coming: De engelen bij de hemelvaart gaven een duidelijke boodschap: ‘Deze Jezus, Die van u opgenomen is naar de hemel, zal alzo komen, gelijkerwijs gij Hem naar de hemel hebt zien heenvaren’ (Handelingen 1:11). Dit houdt onze blik gericht op de toekomstige wederkomst van de Heiland en de noodzaak ons daarop voor te bereiden.

What can we learn from the Catholic observance?

Although our traditions differ, we can certainly learn something:

• Conscious Remembrance: De toewijding waarmee katholieken deze gebeurtenis herdenken, kan ons aanmoedigen om zelf vaker en dieper stil te staan bij de volle reikwijdte van Christus’ bediening – van zijn geboorte tot zijn hemelvaart en zijn huidige rol als onze Voorspraak.
• The Glorified Christ: De nadruk op de triomf en verheerlijking van Christus bij zijn hemelvaart helpt ons om Hem niet alleen als de lijdende dienaar te zien, maar ook als de almachtige, verheerlijkte Koning die Hij nu is.

We strengthen our testimony that Christ lives

I believe that for us as Latter-day Saints, it can be enormously enriching to understand how other Christians view and celebrate important milestones in the life of the Savior. The Catholic celebration of Ascension emphasizes Christ's victory and the completion of His mission on earth in a way that also holds deep meaning for us. It reminds us of our Heavenly Father's beautiful plan: a plan of joy, return, and eternal potential, all made possible by the life, suffering, death, theresurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ.

By pondering the ascension, we strengthen our testimony that Jesus is the Christ, that He lives with a tangible, glorified body, and that He has paved the way for our own return to our heavenly home. It is a message bursting with hope and divine promise.