Mysticism is the numinous experience of the Divine. In one sense, mysticism is an esoteric, interior experience. Mysticism is also the experience of the exoteric, Mass and the Eucharist. The esoteric and exoteric are always in tension with one another - my interior experience of the Divine is challenged and is formed by my exoteric experience of Christ's Body, the Church. The Ascension, Christ in his glorified body at the right hand of the Father in Heaven, is the end and purpose of all life, the goal of both the esoteric and exoteric experience, especially made manifest in the anointing of the sick and the funeral liturgy. Readings for the Feast of the Ascension: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/052922-ascension.cfm Music by Russ Ronnebaum, Tantum Ergo. # A-726294