The Ascension of the Lord

"Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)

Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!! Now, 40 days after His resurrection from the dead, we will celebrate the Ascension of the Lord to Heaven. This year the Solemnity of the Ascension is on May 10th (in some dioceses in the United States, the Ascension is transferred to the following Sunday).

It is believed that on the 40th day Jesus took the Apostles to the Mount of Olives, where they watched as He ascended to heaven. Ascension Day marks the end of Jesus' earthly ministry and occurs 10 days before Pentecost. Depending on the phases of the Moon in a particular year, Ascension Day is usually celebrated on a Thursday.

The gospel assigned for the Ascension is from Mark, chapter 16, have the Apostles surrounding Jesus and joyful that He was with them after the suffering and death on the Cross on Good Friday. They spent 40 days since the Resurrection learning from Jesus as to why He had to suffer and die on the Cross. Now he was ready to return to the Father. At the Ascension Jesus gives them instructions to “Go into the World and Proclaim the Gospel to every creature.” They were brave new people, empowered with the Gift of the Holy Spirit, to share the Good News that Jesus had suffered on the Cross for our sins, and that Jesus is now seated in heaven at the right hand of God the Father.

We, too, are called to go and proclaim the Gospel to every creature. We may not be called to go to the ends of the earth to do so. We may not be called to stand on the street corner with Bible in hand to proclaim the gospel. But we are called to proclaim the gospel to those in our lives, whether they are family, friends, or those we work with. We are to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ by our actions and how we live our lives as Catholic Christians. That’s how we are to proclaim that Jesus Christ died for our sins and is now in heaven at the right hand of the Father. St. Francis of Assisi once said, “Preach the Gospel always, when necessary, use words.”

So bring the good news to all you know in your life. And know that Jesus Christ will be with you to the end of time.

His face was like that of an angel

Scripture readings for the Monday of the Third Week of Easter can be found at http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/041618.cfm

In today's first reading at Mass, we continue to hear from the Acts of the Apostles and are up to the part where St. Stephen, the first Martyr and one of the first deacons, is brought before the authorities and accused him of blasphemy due to St. Stephen preaching about Jesus Christ. St. Stephen remained steadfast and true to his calling in preaching about Jesus and the fact that Jesus died for all of us. Due to the jealously of those in authority, he was falsely accused of blasphemy. But Stephen had the courage to remain true to his vocation as a follower of Jesus Christ. He was willing to bear false accusations against him for the name of Jesus, even if it meant death. Stephen was so sure of himself and of the Message of Jesus Christ, that all who saw him saw his face like that of an angel.

Stephen knew the words of Jesus, who said, "This is the work of God, that you believe in the one He sent." (June 6:29) Jesus is the one sent by God for our salvation. We are called, like St. Stephen, to share the Good News that Jesus came to earth for our salvation, and died for our sins. There may be those in our lives, whether at work or in our family, that may not want to hear this news, and as a result gives us a hard time because of our faith in Jesus Christ. We may not face death like St. Stephen, but we are called to remain true to our faith in Jesus Christ, and be willing not to compromise or change from this faith in Him just because of any problems or difficulties we may face as a result of our faith. Life may get tough at times, but we are to remain strong in our faith in Jesus Christ and the love and salvation he has brought into our lives.

Doubting Thomas

Scripture readings for the Second Sunday of Easter can be found at http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/040818.cfm

Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” John 20:28-29

Every year the gospel assigned for the Second Sunday of Easter is the account of St. Thomas, also known as “Doubting Thomas”: not believing the other apostles when they tell him of the risen Lord. Can we really blame Thomas for not believing that Jesus rose from the dead? He knew that Jesus was nailed to the cross and died that horrible death at the hands of the Roman soldiers. He probably thought, “How can this be? No one can survive such a horrible death!” “Show me the nail marks in his hands!! Let me feel the wound in his side!” Is he any different than any of us in such a situation?

Then he has an encounter with Jesus, who lovingly says to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands, and bring your hand and put it into my side, and do not be unbelieving, but believe.” (John 20:27) I can only imagine the look of amazement on Thomas’ face and the joy he felt when he said, “My Lord and my God.” (John 20:28)

Then Jesus takes it further. Jesus says, “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” (John 20:29) Jesus is calling you and me blessed! We do not have the fortune of placing our hands or fingers into the Risen Lord’s hands or side. But we are blessed because we have the gift of faith that Jesus rose victoriously from the dead. Further, every time we attend mass, we are able to reach out and touch our Lord in Holy Communion. We encounter Jesus at every Holy Mass we attend. And thanks to Thomas, Jesus says we are blessed.

Happy Easter! ¡Felices Pascuas! Wesołego Alleluja! Gezuar Pashket! Paschae felix!