Acts 1.1-11・Ps.47.2+3,6+7,8+9 ・Ephesians 1.17-23・Mark 16.15-20
In today`s Feast of the Ascension, we are being reminded of one of the three major aspects of our faith in the realities of Jesus` Resurrection. The first major aspect of our faith about the Risen Christ talks about the entry of Jesus to “new life,” as well as the understanding that Jesus will never die again. The third aspect has something to do with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to the Apostles, another thing that we will be tackling next week as we celebrate the Feast of the Pentecost. In today`s feast of the Ascension then we basically understand that Jesus after dying on the Cross is being exalted and raised up to share the same glory with the Father. Jesus is totally and forever reunited with the Father after dying on the cross.
In today`s Gospel reading, the Apostles received the mandate to continue the work of Jesus and to continue building the Kingdom of God. So in the first reading we have today, there was an important instruction for the Apostles to await the Holy Spirit. Awaiting the Holy Spirit meant a lot for the Apostles for them to understand the importance of patience and dependence on God's timing for empowerment.
We have the greatest prayer for all of us believers just as Paul prays for all the believers of his time. We continue to pray for each one and the whole Church to receive the spirit of wisdom to know Him better. We pray for His Body, the Church. May the Church while carrying the mandate for evangelization be always true and faithful to the mandate through both words and actions.
We all have the task of healing. A true Christian community does not do things alone. With the Spirit of Jesus the wounded healer, we dare to spend more time in healing of people`s souls and hearts. Let us receive from the Holy Spirit the power that gives strength to the weak, and the power that gives hope to those in despair.