Reflection on Luke 24:46-53 ~
Personally, I visualize Jesus’s ascension to heaven as heaven coming (consuming) to Jesus inwardly rather than the typical artistic view of an upward going away movement towards a distant Heaven. The disciples came to know Jesus’s “clothed with power from on high” meant that the Holy Spirit in Heaven came into them. The Spirit as divinity in heaven simultaneously also exists in us. We are spiritually clothed with the Spirit so that, among other things, we can bless others with our time, talent, and treasures, worship God in return and are filled with great joy.
The Ascension, by James Tissot (full resolution) and for more detail at the Brooklyn Museum website.
Additional Eastertide Reflections
Luke 24:46-53 – Scripture (NRSV Bible)
46 and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
The Ascension of Jesus
50 Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. 51 While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; 53 and they were continually in the temple blessing God.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this daily Gospel reading and considering this Lectio Divina reflection on Luke 24:46-53 – Spiritually Clothed.
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Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities get to know your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite the world’s distractions.
Attributions
This site has written permission from New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) to use the Luke 9 Bible passage.
This site follows the guidelines for image web use at the websites of the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum.