Today, the Church celebrates the Ascension of the Lord. Actually, in Canada (and a few other countries, this Feast has been transferred to Sunday, but in other parts of the world, it is observed - more traditionally - last Thursday). When Jesus finally left the earth and returned to the Father's House, he left his disciples with the promise of good things to come. We too receive that promise from the day of our own baptism.
Listen to the podcast if you wish, or read the printed version of this week's reflection below:
Words of confidence
Welcome to the month of June. With only a few weeks left in the academic year, the grade twelve grad ceremonies have already begun. This is the month for celebrating achievements among the students who have worked so hard over the past year. Give credit where it’s due: devotion and dedication deserves its reward. Grad ceremonies are one of the moments in life that represent major turning points. While graduates may look back at years of growth and achievement (and it’s right to do so), there is also a certain level at which they are looking forward to the next phase of life. For some, plans have been made for continuing their study at post-secondary institutions of various kinds. Others are not quite ready for the big leap and will choose to wait for a while. Regardless of the choice, this is a new chapter in life, complete with the promise of adventure and the accompanying vote of confidence.
Perhaps it is fitting that the Church also celebrates the Solemnity of the Ascension today, for the disciples themselves were faced with a graduation ceremony of sorts when Jesus departed this earth, and left them to continue sharing the good news with our world. There were achievements to be celebrated then too, and confidence to be instilled. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations. They were instructed then to make disciples of all nations, and this instruction has been passed down to all generations, even to modern times. Even today, Jesus continues to call disciples, some among the young who are celebrating the end of one era and the beginning of another. He calls to them in the same way as he has called to men and women of all generations, to make disciples of all nations, but no one does this on his or her own. Thankfully Jesus fulfilled his promise: to be with us to the end of the age, but more about that next week.
Have you ever noticed that there are some moments in life and some experiences we live that stay with us that leave their mark with us? For some, these experiences are pleasant and for others they are the stuff of bad dreams, but regardless, we learn some valuable lessons from them. Often, these are the experiences that we will recount for years to come, sometimes in great detail as well. The first time we set eyes on a newborn child, the last time we speak with a loved one, the experience of a first romance, the pain of separation and loneliness that is known only too well to those who mourn. These are the moments that provide the best lessons for us: lessons about how to live and how to love, lessons that impart wisdom if only we are willing to learn.
When the disciples were left standing there gazing up into the heavens, their hearts must have been breaking, yet immediately there were words of consolation: Why do you stand looking up toward heaven? We too have a choice to make. We can stay here, within the walls of this building, within the safety of our family and friends, on our own home turf, or we can venture forth to share the good news with those of our generation who so need to hear it. There are many in our streets, in our workplaces, in our social gathering places who would marvel to see the example that we can set. As we do, let’s remember always that the work of evangelization is Jesus’ to do. He works through us, giving us a spirit of wisdom and revelation as we come to know him, so that, with the eyes of our hearts enlightened, we may know what is the hope to which he has called us, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe.
Listen to the podcast if you wish, or read the printed version of this week's reflection below:
Words of confidence
Welcome to the month of June. With only a few weeks left in the academic year, the grade twelve grad ceremonies have already begun. This is the month for celebrating achievements among the students who have worked so hard over the past year. Give credit where it’s due: devotion and dedication deserves its reward. Grad ceremonies are one of the moments in life that represent major turning points. While graduates may look back at years of growth and achievement (and it’s right to do so), there is also a certain level at which they are looking forward to the next phase of life. For some, plans have been made for continuing their study at post-secondary institutions of various kinds. Others are not quite ready for the big leap and will choose to wait for a while. Regardless of the choice, this is a new chapter in life, complete with the promise of adventure and the accompanying vote of confidence.
Perhaps it is fitting that the Church also celebrates the Solemnity of the Ascension today, for the disciples themselves were faced with a graduation ceremony of sorts when Jesus departed this earth, and left them to continue sharing the good news with our world. There were achievements to be celebrated then too, and confidence to be instilled. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations. They were instructed then to make disciples of all nations, and this instruction has been passed down to all generations, even to modern times. Even today, Jesus continues to call disciples, some among the young who are celebrating the end of one era and the beginning of another. He calls to them in the same way as he has called to men and women of all generations, to make disciples of all nations, but no one does this on his or her own. Thankfully Jesus fulfilled his promise: to be with us to the end of the age, but more about that next week.
Have you ever noticed that there are some moments in life and some experiences we live that stay with us that leave their mark with us? For some, these experiences are pleasant and for others they are the stuff of bad dreams, but regardless, we learn some valuable lessons from them. Often, these are the experiences that we will recount for years to come, sometimes in great detail as well. The first time we set eyes on a newborn child, the last time we speak with a loved one, the experience of a first romance, the pain of separation and loneliness that is known only too well to those who mourn. These are the moments that provide the best lessons for us: lessons about how to live and how to love, lessons that impart wisdom if only we are willing to learn.
When the disciples were left standing there gazing up into the heavens, their hearts must have been breaking, yet immediately there were words of consolation: Why do you stand looking up toward heaven? We too have a choice to make. We can stay here, within the walls of this building, within the safety of our family and friends, on our own home turf, or we can venture forth to share the good news with those of our generation who so need to hear it. There are many in our streets, in our workplaces, in our social gathering places who would marvel to see the example that we can set. As we do, let’s remember always that the work of evangelization is Jesus’ to do. He works through us, giving us a spirit of wisdom and revelation as we come to know him, so that, with the eyes of our hearts enlightened, we may know what is the hope to which he has called us, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe.
1 comment:
Beautiful!
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