Between the Resurrection and Ascension

“Throughout the whole period between the resurrection and ascension, God’s providence was at work to instill this one lesson into the hearts of the disciples, to set this one truth before their eyes, that our Lord Jesus Christ, who was truly born, truly suffered and truly died, should be recognized as truly risen from the dead. The blessed apostles together with all the others had been intimidated by the catastrophe of the cross, and their faith in the resurrection had been uncertain; but now they were so strengthened by the evident truth that when their Lord ascended into heaven, far from feeling any sadness, they were filled with great joy.”
~St. Leo the Great

Almighty God,

  fill us with a holy joy;

  teach us how to thank You with reverence and love

  on account of the ascension of Christ Your Son.

You have raised us up with Him:

  where He, the head, has preceded us in glory,

  there we, the body, are called in hope.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,

  who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,

  one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

(From Vespers - Wednesday of the 6th week of Eastertide)