ASCENSION OF THE LORD, 2019

I am with you always; Yes, to the end of time.

Gladden us with joys, almighty God, and make us rejoice with devote thanksgiving, for the Ascension of Christ your son is our exaltation,

And where the Head has gone before in glory,

The Body is called to follow in hope.

Eastertide is drawing to a close. Today we reflect on the Ascension of Christ who is going back to his Father and entrusts his disciples with his mission here on earth after appearing to them for fourty days and speaking of the kingdom of God (Acts 1:3).

As Jesus ends his physical presence on earth, he takes the whole world with him in his heart and entrusts it to his disciples to whom he has shared the truth about God’s Kingdom. Now, as Christians we continue to make the physical presence of Christ on earth through the participation in his mission. The mission requires devote thanksgiving and joy, “the Lord goes up with shouts of joy” (Psalm 47). The disciple worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy (Lk24:52). Mission also requires sharing and hope: “stay in the city until are empowered from on high” (Lk 24: 49).

The context for this mission practice is the parish which is the manifestation of the Body of Christ in the Sunday Eucharistic celebration. In the Sunday Eucharist, our unity as the Body is demonstrated. We become a community of hope; “this Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven” (Acts1:11). We become the church that waits in prayer and service through charity.

Christian Action this week: In my prayers, I ask Christ to be with me and increase my desire to continue his work. In hope and trust, I listen to what the Lord says to me.

Joy and Peace

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