Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord - June 1, 2025 (Year C)

This weekend, we celebrate the Lord's Ascension.  I cannot pretend to understand or comprehend the Ascension; I only assume that those closest to Jesus had already seen so many amazing things done by His hand, that they had some greater capacity to grasp the occasion.  In leaving the apostles behind, Jesus promised to return again, though it was not for them, nor us, to know the time or the season of His return.  And from this moment, Jesus sent forth His followers forth to all the ends of the earth to proclaim God's Word until the day when He returns.  It is in the state of waiting that we have been since that day two thousand years ago.  What does that mean for us today?  

We must always believe that Jesus is coming and conduct ourselves accordingly.  And yet, we can't sit around watching the skies, waiting for the Lord to appear.  I had mentioned faithful and vigilant servants in my post on Pope Leo's election and, though not in this weekend's lectionary, its message rings true.  We must do as Jesus asked, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and faithfully live our lives.  This can take many different forms as we all are called in different directions to serve, but we must always hold the uniting Truth of the Risen Christ as our guide.  We must keep Jesus in mind in all of our actions and let His Love shine through us.


Disclaimer: This will be at the bottom of all reflections, but I’m not intending to put out any sort of professional critique, attempt at a homily, or investigation into the historicity of the readings, but will “let the Spirit move me” as some say, to share what has spoken to me in my reading and reflection on the set of Readings for each week.  

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