In reflecting upon Christ's Ascension, a verse that the Prayer Book tradition assigns to Easter has always seemed to have a meaningful application to the Ascension. That verse is Colossians 3:1: "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God." Christians have been united with the risen and ascended Christ through Baptism and Faith. And because of our unity with Him, we have been offered a new perspective.
Although we remain in this world, we should have a heavenly focus through our risen and ascended Lord Jesus. The difficulties of earthly life are real, but Christ has already overcome them on our behalf. That means that we have a new heavenly perspective on ourselves, other people, and worldly events. We have confidence that divine goodness triumphs through Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Intercessor. As the collect for this Sunday indicates, we pray that the Holy Spirit may "exalt us unto the same place whither our Saviour Christ is gone before" (1928 BCP, p. 179).
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