Pope St. Leo the Great, On the Lord’s Ascension

From the sermon of St. Leo the Great, on the Lord’s Ascension.

Dearly beloved brethren, let us also rejoice with worthy joy, for the Ascension of Christ is exaltation for us. And where the glory of the Head of the Church has passed into, there is the hope of the body of the Church called to follow. Let us rejoice with exceeding great joy, and give God glad thanks! On this day not only is the possession of Paradise made secure for us, but in the Person of our Head we have actually begun to enter into the heavenly mansions above.

Through the unspeakable goodness of Christ we have gained more than we ever lost by the envy of the devil. We, whom our venomous enemy thrust from our first happy home, — we, being made of one body with the Son of God, have by Him been given a place at the right hand of the Father; with Whom He liveth and reigneth, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

May 21, 2020