John Grondelski on Lessons from Our Lord's Ascension

"'You are here to say goodbye to us, and we don't have a good word for it in English.The best is "au revoir" - we'll see you again.' - Richard M. Nixon, Farewell to White House Staff, Aug. 9, 1974

"Parting with someone is hard. There are partings that are difficult. I remember the look on my future wife after spending our first Christmas together with her family, as the bus pulled away from its stop, her standing on the curb. I also remember the time I left my daughter, as she began her gap year and would be on her own alone for the first time, in another country. I left her in the lobby of the dorm to walk across the road to the bus station, board a bus, and drive off into the night.

"Richard Nixon was right. We don't have a good word for it in English. Because, normally, we hope that a parting is only temporary. . . .

"The Ascension reminds us that not every parting is final. The Ascension is Jesus' au revoir. His auf wiedersehen. His hasta la vista. His do zobaczenia."

In a recent commentary, writer John M. Grondelski reflected on some lessons we can learn form Jesus' Ascension.

To access Mr. Grondelski's complete post, please visit:

National Catholic Register: Blogs: John Grondelski: 4 Lessons from Our Lord’s 'Au Revoir' (24 MAY 20)