The Ascension of Our Lord

The eyes of the Apostles feasted upon an event so spectacular that they would never forget it. They had already seen marvelous things, for they had been with  the Lord three years, and then they beheld him risen from the dead on Easter Day, and on several days after that they beheld him again, until this day, when he commissioned them to go forth everywhere and preach; and he ascended into heaven, through endless ranks of angels, to the right hand of the Father. Imagine this scene, and let it inform you in all earth's darkness and trial, for it is the capstone on all he has done for you. And behold, these same heavens, which had opened for Jacob who beheld the ladder from heaven, and for Moses who was on Mount Sinai, and for Elijah who beheld Elijah's chariot, and for Lazarus whom the angels carried to Abraham's bosom, and for Stephen who saw Jesus stand at the right hand of God, open yet again for faith to behold, whenever a child is baptized, and also this very day, when we receive the same Christ at the altar with angels and archangels and all the company of heaven. Sermon for the Ascension of Our Lord.