You are my disciples

Here is the text of the homily I prepared for the gatherings of the faithful for this weekend, a reflection on the last words spoken by Jesus to his disciples before he ascended into heaven.  While the Solemnity of the Ascension is traditionally observed on Thursday of the sixth week of Easter (which would have been last Thursday), in Canada, its observance has been transferred to the nearest Sunday (that`s today).  Enjoy!

Go … and make disciples

The first reading we heard today reminds us that after Jesus had suffered … he appeared to the disciples for a period of forty days, and spoke to them about the Kingdom of God.  For the past six weeks, we have listened to the accounts of these apparitions. Like the disciples, these past weeks have given us all an opportunity to reflect on our relationship with Jesus: the many ways in which we can be distracted from our commitment to follow him, and the ways in which he always gently reminds us that he needs us to be courageous witnesses for him in the world.

As he had done throughout the time they had known him, after his resurrection, Jesus gently encouraged the disciples to believe that they were indeed capable of sharing the good news with others, even though at the time they may not have believed it.  We all have great potential within us: great potential for love, for doing good, for bearing witness to our faith … but sometimes we need to know that we are not alone, that someone believes in us, that someone else is supporting us.  You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.  Jesus had confidence in his disciples.  He knew that they could do great things, and so can we. 

Telling others about what we have seen and what we have come to believe is sometimes done in words, but it can and should also be done through example.  Think about it for a moment: who are the people in your life that inspire you?  Who are the ones you look up to?  What is it about them that you admire?  Jesus needs us to be faith heroes; he needs us to speak words that inspire others to want to know him.  He needs us to be people of integrity who are respected by those around us.  He needs us to be examples of tenderness and caring so that others will look to us and admire what they see in us. 

Last weekend, while on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Pope Francis encouraged the Christians there to pray for peace.  He even went so far as to invite the President of the State of Israel and the President of Palestine to come to Rome for a moment of prayer so that they (all three of them) could pray for peace in those lands that have been so ravaged by discord.  The two Presidents have accepted his invitation, so on June 8, next weekend, they will meet in the Vatican to pray for peace – miracles do happen.

Here at home, what can we do to share the good news?  The second reading tells us that we must begin by praying, asking God to give us the spirit of wisdom … with the eyes of our hearts enlightened, we will come to know the hope to which we are called.  One of the measures of a wholesome society is the way that the vulnerable among us are treated.  Children, the elderly and those who are most at risk can always help us to make sure that we’re doing all we can to promote a healthy environment.  For some weeks now, one of our parishioners has been asking about the possibility of establishing an outreach program which would see some of our parishioners visit with the residents at Cassellholme who spend most of their days alone: those who have little or no outside contact with anyone.  All it takes is a bit of time, a willing heart, and a compassionate ear, and what a difference it would make in the lives of our seniors.  More information about the Seniors Outreach programme is available in this week’s bulletin.  This is only one way that we can make disciples.  There are so many more, so pray, and ask the Lord to enlighten the path ahead, to point out the places where you can share the gift of his love, and when those places are made clear, pray for the courage to answer the call.