In the Spirit of the Vigil of the Ascension of Our Lord
On the Vigil of the Ascension, Holy Church invites us to contemplate the mystery of Christ’s return to the Father—not in departure, but in glorification and triumphant intercession. The readings from Ephesians 4:7–13 and John 17:1–11 afford us a privileged insight into this mystery, as seen through the eyes of the Apostle Paul and the voice of Christ Himself. In meditating on these sacred texts, the Fathers of the Church help us to ascend in heart and mind with the Lord, as we await the celebration of His glorious Ascension.
“He ascended on high, He led captivity captive…” (Eph. 4:8)
St. Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, speaks of the gifts given by the risen and ascended Christ to His Body, the Church. “But to every one of us is given grace, according to the measure of the giving of Christ” (Eph. 4:7). This grace is not abstract, but embodied in the offices and persons Christ establishes: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. These roles are given “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (v.12).
St. John Chrysostom, in his homilies on Ephesians, marvels that Christ, in ascending, does not withdraw His power but rather pours it out more abundantly. He writes:
“He did not simply ascend; He ascended ‘that He might fill all things’—not that He Himself might be filled, but that He might fill His Church with His gifts.” (Homily XI on Ephesians)
This ascension, then, is not an absence, but a presence—spiritual, sacramental, ecclesial. Christ ascends not to leave us, but to extend His dominion, to pour out His Spirit, and to distribute gifts unto sanctity.
The captivity He leads captive (cf. Ps. 67:19, quoted by Paul) is the ancient bondage of sin and death. As St. Irenaeus affirms, “He destroyed death, and He who was led as a lamb to the slaughter led captivity captive and bestowed gifts on men” (Against Heresies, Book III).
“Father, glorify Thy Son, that Thy Son may glorify Thee…” (John 17:1)
The Gospel from St. John opens the great High Priestly Prayer of Christ, spoken on the eve of His Passion. Yet, in the Vigil of the Ascension, we hear these words anew, for they foreshadow not only the Cross but also the exaltation to follow. Christ speaks not merely as one about to die, but as one who sees beyond death to the glory of return.
“Now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to Thee” (Jn. 17:11).
St. Augustine, commenting on this passage, notes:
“When Christ says, ‘I am no longer in the world,’ He speaks prophetically, knowing His hour has come. He is about to pass from death to life, and from earth to heaven, and so already He begins to speak as one who has passed.” (Tractate 104 on the Gospel of John)
Here we see Christ’s pastoral heart, interceding not for the world, but for those the Father has given Him. His concern is not for His own glory alone, but that those given to Him might be preserved in unity and holiness. He prays, “Holy Father, keep them in Thy name…” (v.11).
The Ascending Christ and the Church Militant
As we stand in vigil before the mystery of the Ascension, these two readings unveil the nature of the Church’s life between the two comings of Christ—between His departure in glory and His return in judgment.
From above, Christ distributes gifts, establishing the Church in her structure and mission. From the depths of His heart, Christ intercedes, preserving His own in the Father’s name.
As St. Leo the Great preached:
“That which was visible in our Redeemer has passed over into His sacraments.” (Sermon 74 on the Ascension)
The Ascension is not merely an historical event but a mystery now present in the liturgical life of the Church. Christ ascends that He may fill all things—especially His Church, which is His mystical Body. He prays that she may be one, sanctified in truth, and carried onward to the fullness of Christ.
Vigil Prayer and Expectation
On this Vigil, let us, with the Apostles, await the promised gift from on high. Let us prepare our hearts to receive anew the graces of the Ascended Christ, Who calls us to maturity, to unity of faith, and to the measure of His own fullness.
And as St. Gregory Nazianzen once exhorted on the Ascension:
“Let us ascend with Him spiritually, and so be led by His grace into the heights of virtue, that we may be found worthy also of the coming Paraclete.” (Oration 1 on the Ascension)
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.