Ascension
The Ascension of Jesus into heaven is mentioned several times in scripture, even by Jesus himself. For example, in the Gospel of John (3:13) he says, “No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven.” And (20:17) after his Resurrection to Mary of Magdala, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to my father.”
Luke, who we believe is the author of both the Gospel that bears his name and the Acts of the Apostles, gives us the only detailed accounts of the Ascension of Jesus. In the first, from the Gospel, Luke tells us that Jesus commissions the apostles to go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature, and if the hearers believe, they will have power over evil and power to heal. After he spoke to them, he was taken up into heaven and took his seat at God’s right hand. The disciples then went into the whole world and preached, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.
This account emphasizes the power of belief, the importance of preaching and the effect that God’s word can have on the world. Luke’s account gives more detail than the version we hear from Mark this weekend.
We also hear Luke’s second account from the Acts of the Apostles proclaimed this weekend. In it, Jesus instructs the disciples to stay in Jerusalem and wait for the promise of the Holy Spirit that will come upon them shortly. Our church marks that coming with the Feast of Pentecost and helps us to not only recall the manifestation of the Holy Spirit as an event in history, but also an ongoing movement and guiding force in each one of our lives. The account goes on to tell us that this manifestation will extend to the ends of the earth. After he said this, he was lifted up and a cloud took him from their sight. As they were staring up, suddenly two men dressed in white stood with them and asked why they were looking at the sky. They then say, “This Jesus who has been taken up into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going up into heaven.”
This statement should open our hearts to the second coming of Jesus, but as the centuries have passed it also invites and challenges us to recognize the manifestation of Christ’s real presence constantly and in the greatest form of reality – the real presence of Christ that we realize in the Eucharist. We realize Christ’s REAL presence in four ways as we celebrate each Eucharist:
The People Gathered
The Scriptures Proclaimed
The Elements of Bread and Wine
and
The Person of the Priest
Let’s not catch ourselves watching Jesus go up to heaven; let’s realize his coming into our hearts at the celebration of each and every Mass.
Mother’s Day
One of my favorite Mother stories was told by Cardinal John O’Connor of New York who passed away in 2000. Mayor Ed Koch invited him to dinner. During the meal, the Jewish mayor shared an insight with the Catholic Archbishop. “Your Eminence,” he said, “I realize that millions of people have been welcomed to America by two beautiful mothers, Lady Liberty (the Statue of Liberty) and Holy Mother Church (the Catholic Church). Isn’t it true that motherhood comes in many forms? Thanks, Moms.
Pentecost Mass Schedule
Please make a note that next weekend we will have a festive Mass at 10:00 am Sunday morning to celebrate Pentecost. There will be no 9:00 am or 11:00 am Mass, but rather a 10:00 am Mass. We will also have Mass at 5:00 pm Saturday and 7:30 am Sunday. Immediately following the 10:00 am Mass the parish will offer a BBQ in the courtyard hosted by our Knights of Columbus. We will serve hotdogs, hamburgers, ice cream, soft drinks, beer and wine for adults.
Gene Garcia Goes to Washington
Our Director of Liturgical Arts, Gene Garcia, along with those who served our country in Desert Storm, has been invited to Washington D.C. this coming Memorial Day weekend. Gene will participate in festivities that will introduce the National Desert Storm War Memorial that will be completed next year. Gene served in the Navy during both Desert Storm and Desert Shield. Please thank him for his service when you are able.