XII. The Ascension of Our Lord Into Heaven - The Spiritual Ascension of Mary

It is the fortieth day after the Resurrection Those whom Jesus most loved, having been attracted by the departure of His sacred humanity to heaven, were assembled on Mount Olivet. Mary is there; She is first among them all and most affected by the farewell words of Her divine Son. For a long time she fixes Her gaze, like the apostles, upon the bright cloud which hid from Her sight Her only love. Her eyes, indeed, see Him no more, but Her enraptured soul follows Him beyond the hierarchies of angels to the very throne of the Most High, where He, the Conqueror of death and King of glory, in company with the souls He had freed from their prison, takes possession of His eternal empire.

Awaking from Her ecstasy, our holy Mother feels Herself truly alone in a land of exile; but She does nob give Herself to barren grief or to those weaknesses of nature which so cruelly try our poor hearts when God calls to Himself those whom we love, and the void caused by whose absence we so keenly feel. Their presence was so dear to us that we can hardly be consoled even when they departed in the midst of benedictions, and when we have heard them express joy at being delivered from the evils of this life. "They rejoice in the things that are said to them, and they will enter into the house of the Lord."

But we are imperfect; Mary is perfection itself. The departure of Her Son enlivens Her hopes and implants in Her heart the magnanimous resolution of advancing always until the hour in which God will make Her a participant in the happiness of heaven.

Ever tending thither, the soul of our holy Mother becomes more perfect day by day. And it is for the glory of God and for our encouragement She thus labors for Her perfection. It seems to me I hear Her maternal voice constantly inviting me to "rise higher and still higher." Thus does She speak to me:

You are purified from sin, from every stain of the soul; you have risen from the debasement of human dignity, from the deprivation of the Divine Life; you detest sin more than any other evil that can befall you; you would rather die than commit it again. It is well; but "rise still higher." Excelsior!

You have a horror for light faults which grieve the Spirit of God and which human frailty has so much trouble to avoid. If the impetuosity of nature should outrun the commands of your will, your heart resents it and is troubled, for it would rather live to God free from even the slightest stain. True, "the just man sins seven times a day," but if you could you would not sin at all. This is very well; but do better. "Rise higher still." Excelsior!

You bear bravely the combats of virtue. There is not one of your passions that has not received a mortal blow; alone in the world, detached from its goods and enjoyments, you have barred and bolted all the doors of your soul against its maxims and seductions. That is excellent; but "rise still higher." Excelsior!

Not only do you bear with resignation and patience the heavy cross God has sent you, but you march gladly forward on the road of Calvary, anxious for humiliations and sufferings, the better to imitate your Saviour. Contemptible in your own eyes and glad to be contemned by others, you wish to be able to say with the apostle: "We are made the refuse of the world, the off-scouring of all even till now." (1 Corinthians 4:13) All this is well indeed; but "rise higher still." Excelsior!

Your soul is enlightened; all virtues shine in it as in a mirror. You have no happiness only in God; you seek His presence continually; you desire His presence always; you constantly seek His loving embraces. This is rising very high; but "rise still higher." Excelsior!

You possess God by divine charity. You are united with Him as with the most loving spouse. This is the end of perfection on earth, but it is not yet the supreme perfection. Excelsior!

Higher still! Behold the steps in this mystic ladder: purity without a shadow, the reward of trial, the crowning of victories won, the consummation of virtues, the presence of God without a veil, the revelation of the divine essence, peace, joy, everlasting gladness in the eternal union, heaven whither Jesus has ascended - heaven to which He calls us and in which He opens His arms to receive us.