Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/289

 III. When they  had  arrived  at  the  Mount,  Christ  lifted up His  hands,  to  signify  the  fulness  of  His  benediction, and blessed  them-  Then  raising  Himself  up  by  His  own inherent power,  as  He  did  at  His  resurrection,  He  ascended by  degrees,  until  a  bright  cloud  snatched  Him from their  sight. Imagine how  the  disciples  rejoiced in the  glory  of  their  Lord,  "  Who  made  the  clouds  His chariot,  and  who  walked  on  the  wings  of  the  wind." (Ps. ciii.  3.)  Let  it  be  said  of  you,  that  you  wish  and  are determined to  ascend  with  Christ,  and  that  "in  your  heart you  are  disposed  to  ascend  by  steps." (Ps. lxxxiii.  6.) Make continual  progress  from  one  virtue  to  another,  until you  reach  the  mount  of  perfection.

I. Christ  being  out  of  the  sight  of  His  disciples,  entered heaven  in  a  triumphant  manner. He was  accompanied by  an  infinite  multitude  of  angels,  who  had  come forth to  meet  Him,  and  followed  by  a  numerous  train  of holy  Fathers,  whom  He  had  redeemed  from  captivity. u Ascending  on  high,  He  led  captivity  captive."  (Eph. iv.  8.)  Contemplate  and  admire  His  solemn  entry  into heaven.  "  God  ascended  with  jubilee,  and  the  Lord with sound  of  trumpet"  (Is.  xlvi.  6),  whilst  the  celestial spirits  invited  each  other  to  sing  His  praises.  "  Sing  to the  Lord,  sing  ye  to  God,  who  mounteth  above  the heaven of  heavens  to  the  east."  (Ps.  lxvii.  33.),  II.  When  Christ  appeared  before  the  throne  of  His eternal  Father,  He  presented  Him  with  the  holy  captives, as  spoils  taken  from  the  infernal  enemy.  He  then  gives Him  an  account  of  His  mission.    "  I  have  glorified  Thee