Thursday, May 10, 2018
TODAY'S REFLECTION - SOLEMNITY OF THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD
Acts 1:1-11/Ps 46:2,6-9/Eph1:17-23/Mk16:15-20
JESUS AWAITS US IN HEAVEN
Beloved, Holy Mother Church celebrates today, the solemnity of the ascension of the Lord. It is a day we remember Jesus' joyfully going back to heaven to share in his Father's glory, after he fulfilled his mission on earth. We also think of Enoch, who walked with God, then was no more, because God took him (Genesis 5:24). We also remember Elijah, who went up to heaven in the whirlwind (2 Kings 2:9-13). In our today's first reading, we are told how Jesus ascended in the presence of the eleven apostles. This calls to mind our own experiences of bidding our dear ones farewell. Be it at the burial or when traveling. The separation is painful. We can't sit or stand there gazing or weeping or lamenting. We are to go back and continue with our daily tasks until our end also comes. Jesus' ascension gives us the hope of reuniting in a more joyful manner.
In our today's second reading, St. Paul prays that God should give us the Spirit of Wisdom to know Jesus more and more. Also, that He may open our eyes and give us more hope. We can also add all that we want the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, to give us.
Friends, when Jesus resurrected and appeared to his disciples, he commissioned them, to go out to the whole world; proclaim the Good News to all creation ( Mark16:15ff, Matthew 28:19-20). Since Easter, 1st April, until now, have I done what Jesus asked me to do? He is ascending to his Father today and is repeating the same mandate. Will I do it? How? When? After Jesus' resurrection, he stayed with us for forty days. In ten days time, he, together with his Father, will send us the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. How do we prepare for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit? Will I have a Pentecost novena? Have I made up my mind that Jesus has completely disappeared in my life? What about his presence in the Sacraments, the Scriptures and our togetherness? Let us pray for the Spirit of love and unity among us so that we can indeed go out and proclaim the Good News to all creation, more credibly, in what we do and say. BE BLESSED.
Fr. Gaa (0206854323/0240308878)