2. According to the Acts of the Apostles, Jesus appeared to his disciples during the forty days after Easter: On the fortieth day, "he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight" (Acts 1:9).

3. The Ascension The two great feasts of the Ascension and Pentecost, are closely connected and mark the end of the season of Easter. Together with the Resurrection, they are three chapters of one story. Christ rises from the dead, he goes to be with God the Father, and finally, he sends us his Holy Spirit. The Resurrection, the Ascension, Pentecost; these are great mysteries. They are hard for us to understand, because they are bigger than we are. They are at the heart of our Christian faith.

7. God our Father, Make us joyful in the ascension of your Son Jesus Christ. May we follow him into the new creation, for his ascension is our glory and our hope. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.