LET US ASCEND WITH JESUS

 Thursday, May 18, 2023

THE ASCENSION OF THE LORD (SOLEMNITY)

HOLY DAY OF OBLIGATION

First Reading. Acts 1: 1-11
Psalm 47: 2-3, 6-9
Second reading. Ephesians 1: 17-23
Gospel. John 28: 16-20


TOPIC FOR REFLECTION

LET US ASCEND WITH JESUS 

Hello and happy Solemnity of Ascension.

I hope we are getting ready to ascend with the Lord. 

If not, please let us make an effort to, because the beauty of our religion is to ascend with our master and Lord Jesus Christ at the end of our stay here on earth. 

Meanwhile, let us look into some historical facts. 

WHICH RELIGION BELIEVES IN THE RESURRECTION?

It may interest you to know that among all the religions in the world, it is only

Christianity, Judaism, and Islam that talked and believes in life after death. So, for the followers of these faiths, life after death has been promised by God.

Invariably, any religion that does not believe in life after death simply does not believe in Resurrection.

WHO CELEBRATES ASCENSION?

The Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches, as well as the Orthodox branches of Protestantism, like the Lutheran Church, Anglican Church, and Episcopal Church. However, many other Protestants and Pentecostal Churches do not celebrate the Feast of the Ascension or have any special observance for the day.

(www.churchtrac. com)

REFLECTION OF THE DAY 

When Jesus was alive with His disciples before His death, He acted as a human; hence, He propagated the faith, built His followers' faith, and sends them to villages and towns around to propagate the Good News.

After His resurrection, He appeared to His disciples to strengthen their faith and commission them to go into the whole world to propagate the faith they have received.

Today, He ascends into Heaven, where He is seated at the right hand of God the Father. This time, being in Heaven as God the Son, He is everywhere, moving with us anywhere we go propagating the Good News as He commanded us to 

Our Liturgical celebration of today says, ‘Christ Ascended, what can it mean if not that He descended right down to the lower regions of the earth? The one who rose higher than all the heavens to fill all things is none other than the one who descended. Cf. John 3:13

Meanwhile, Jesus told the disciples, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and then you will be my witnesses not only in Jerusalem but throughout Judea and Samaria, and indeed to the ends of the earth.’

As he said this he was lifted while they looked on, and a cloud took him from their sight. They were still staring into the sky when suddenly two men in white were standing near them and they said, ‘Why are you men from Galilee standing here looking into the sky? Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven, this same Jesus will come back in the same way as you have seen him go there.’

Therefore, my dearest friend, we are fortunate because He has ascended to be with the Father sitting at His right hand. Like St John's first letter said that we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ. Cf. 1 John 2: 1

In the Gospel, the apostles were surprised when Jesus said, a little time you will see me, and a little time you will not see me again, these words "a little while" make them confused. Jesus knew what they were thinking,

He said, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.”

My dear, is it not true in our world today? The world makes Christians uncomfortable everywhere; the world rejoices as they afflict us with pains, but based on the promise of our master, we should not be discouraged, joy awaits the faithful with Him in heaven where we shall reign with Him forever. 

Let no persecution separate us from the love of the Father, cf. Rom. 8: 38-39.

Let us remain focused because one day we shall ascend with Jesus when He will come again in glory as recorded in the first reading.

Let us be reminded that the 9 days of Novena to the Holy Spirit start tomorrow Friday, May 19th to Saturday, 27th May, 2023.

Peace ✌️ be with you.

Rev. Fr. Segun Oladeji, CRS.

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