He went up to heaven to proclaim the dogma we sing every day in this octave in the Credo; "I believe in the Holy Ghost, who procccacth from the Father and the Son." And it is from heaven above that He, with the Father, is about to send us the Holy Ghost.
He went up to heaven because glorified human nature requires such a place of glory as heaven1.
Finally, He went up to heaven because, after having been brought to a belief in His Divinity, the apostles and the disciples of our Lord must also be led to believe in His humanity, henceforth invisible here below.
Viri Galilaei, quid admiramini aspicientes in caelum? alleluia: quemadmodum vidistis eum ascendentem in caelum, ita veniet, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. * Omnes gentes, plaudite manibus: jubilate Deo in voce exsultationis.
Ye men of Galilee, why wonder you, looking up to heaven? alleluia. He shall so come as you have seen Him going up into heaven, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. * O, clap your hands, all ye nations; shout unto God, with the voice of exultation.
(Acts 1:11 and Psalm 44:2 from the Introit of Mass.)
Concede, quaesumus, omnipotens Deus: ut, qui hodierna die Unigenitum tuum Redemptorem nostrum ad caelos ascendisse credimus, ipsi quoque mente in caelestibus habitemus.
Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that we who believe Thine only-begotten Son, our Redeemer, to have this day ascended into heaven, may ourselves dwell in spirit amid heavenly things.
(Collect)
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