Welcome to our Rosary meditation. Today is the 40th day after the resurrection.

Today is Ascension Thursday, the day in which Jesus ascended into heaven.

Let's begin in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Let's call to mind all those we've promised to pray for.

The points for today's meditation have been taken in large part

from Pope Benedict the 16th book Jesus of Nazareth part two on the ascension.

Pope Benedict writes, the departing Jesus does not make his way to some distant star.

He enters into communion of power and life with the living God into God's dominion over space. Hence he has not

gone away, but now and forever by God's own power he is present with us and for us.

In the farewell discourses of St John's Gospel,

this is exactly what Jesus says to his disciples. I go away and I will come to you. These words

sum up beautifully what is so special about Jesus going away, which is also his coming, and at the same time

they explain the mystery of the cross, the resurrectionension and the ascension. His going away is in this

sense a coming, a new form of closeness, of continuing presence, which is a source of joy for the disciples.

Because Jesus is with the Father, he has not gone away but remains close to us.

Now he is no longer in one particular place in the world,

as he had been before the ascension, now through his power over space, he is present and accessible to all, throughout history

and in every place.

Our Father who art in heaven,

hallow would be your name.

Thy kingdom come, I will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us a stay our daily bread and give us our trust balance as we free those who trespass

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