seek, and savour of the things that are above, and not of the things that are on the earth. By the power of Thy brightness purify my soul from the darkness of sin; and on the day of the general resurrection let my flesh rise to glory, that I may eternally rejoice with Thee in body and soul. Amen.

THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD.

Prophecy.

THOU hast ascended on high, Thou hast led captivity captive; Thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD GOD might dwell among them. Psalm lxviii. 18.

Gospel Narrative.

See Gospel and Epistle for the Day; S. Luke xxiv. 50-52; Eph. iv. 1-17.

Reflections.

The LORD JESUs having finished His work on earth, sojourned forty days after His Resurrection, teaching His disciples the things pertaining to His kingdom. At the expiration of these forty days, "He led them out (as on this day) to Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them; and while He blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven." He raised both His hands and blessed them, to show how abundant His blessings are, and that He is ready to shed them upon us. This consideration should produce in us a deep sense of gratitude, and make us say with the Apostle, "Blessed be the GoD and FATHER

of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in CHRIST." (Eph. i. 3.)

O my Saviour, Who art worthy to be blessed for ever, I entreat Thee by those Hands which Thou didst raise upon the Cross, with as much grief as love, to send down blessings upon me from on high. I beseech Thee still to raise them to bless me Thy unworthy servant; and teach me to raise mine to Thee by fervent prayer, and in good works, that the blessings of Thy grace may descend upon me.

We know not what words the LORD used on this blessed occasion; some have thought it may have been the benediction given in the law, (Num. vi. 24-26.) But the benedictions of the LORD are not mere words, but the reality itself; for, in only wishing for His disciples the abundance of Heavenly Grace, He fills them effectually with it. O my Saviour, Who thinkest of those who are farthest from Thee, give me part in this blessing, since all my happiness depends upon it. Reject me not as Esau, who could not obtain a full and entire blessing. O FATHER, infinitely Gracious! bless me, but let the benediction be for heaven and not merely for earth, since it is heavenly riches only which can render me happy.

After blessing them He ascended, in their presence, into heaven; and they gazed after Him, and rejoiced at the exaltation of their LORD and Master. O that I may be of the number of those captives! enchain my heart, O gracious Saviour, so that nothing shall ever draw it from Thee. Give me, LORD, the wings of an eagle, that I may fly after Thee, and that all my am

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bition may be to raise myself, with Thee, above terrestrial things, since I have nothing to desire upon earth beside Thee, and my happiness consists in dwelling with Thee eternally in the heavens.

"And a cloud received Him out of their sight." Like Elisha, we cry, "O my FATHER, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof." O Blessed FATHER, Who art the only support of the true Israelites, and Who givest them both strength to serve Thee, and light to contemplate Thee, whither goest Thou, and why leavest Thou Thy disciples alone? O my FATHER, Who art the Helper and Defender of all who trust in Thee, receive me into Thy glorious chariot; receive me into this dazzling cloud, and permit me, at least in spirit, to follow Thee, and to contemplate Thy glory

in the heavens.

The clouds which hide JESUS from our souls are many, 1st, all created objects, upon which the heart rests to the exclusion of GOD. 2nd, all wilful sins are as dark clouds which rise between our souls and GOD, and hide His light from us;-but these clouds may be dissipated by penitence and prayer. Let us then see what it is that hides GOD from our view, whether it be pride, or love of riches, or cares and anxieties, or any evil passions, and let us drive far from us all which can deprive us of so great a blessing as the light of GOD's Presence. O Infinite GOD, Who dwellest in light unapproachable, chase from my soul these dark clouds which sin has thrown around me. Suffer not the Prince of darkness to obscure Thy Presence by his temptations, but so brighten it that after having contemplated Thee in this life I

shall in the next behold Thee without any cloud, face to Face.

"This JESUS, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come, in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.' Thus spake the angels unto the disciples as they gazed up into heaven after their ascended LORD. Let us ever remember this saying, that "He shall come again;" for when He so cometh it will be to judgment. Forget not then, O my soul, forget not in the time of prosperity, the day of adversity. Remember on this happy Festival that JESUS ascended into heaven to appear in the Presence of His FATHER, as our Advocate, and that He will come to be thy Judge. Think then, of His commands and obey them, that when He comes, thou mayest be rewarded as a faithful servant.

"And they worshipped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy." This joy sprang from three causes: 1st, A firm faith, which could no more stagger after they had seen the glory with which the shame and sufferings of their Master were recompensed. This was to them a pledge of the truth of those things which yet remained to be accomplished. 2nd, A sure hope that the SON of GOD would, according to His promise, send them the HOLY SPIRIT; and that one day they should enter into heaven, as they had seen Him do. 3rd, A fervent love, which they felt towards Him.

These three virtues, Faith, Hope, and Charity, ought to be the sources of joy in our souls, so that we may rejoice in the glory of our LORD, and console ourselves, in all our troubles, with the hope of being