The Ascension of the Lord
May 20, 2012
Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 47;
Ephesians 1:17-23; (or Ephesians 4:1-13); Mark 16:15-20
Mark's
Gospel concludes with the proclamation to "Go into the whole world and
proclaim the gospel to every creature." (Most scripture scholars see this
as a later addition to text to bring it to a positive conclusion. It has often
been a source of conflict with evangelicals who believe in a literal textual explanation.)
It points out that Jesus is validated as Lord of heaven and earth and is seated
at the right hand of God. It emphasizes that the risen Lord confirmed the
disciples as they healed and preached the kingdom in his name.
Luke takes a polished approach to his
account of the Ascension. He writes the Acts of the Apostles as an historical
book with an emphasis on teaching new Gentile converts about the factual and
mysterious accounts of the life of Jesus and the early church. He addresses it
to Theophilus, an unnamed lover (filial) of God (Theos), to explain the
significance of the divine actions. In the passage we read today, Luke
describes Pentecost as the apt conclusion of God's saving work. He illustrates
the forty-day period of appearances before Jesus is taken up to heaven where his
spirit is sent forth from God to console and strengthen the disciples. The
energizing Spirit baptizes believers and guards them in all their ways. The
work of Jesus is to continue on this earth as he is still present to his
faithful ones.
As his baptized, we are called to
extraordinary care for our fellow believers. Our work is not easy to do.
Ephesians 4 outlines the work of the Spirit in a believer who is open to
continued growth and discipleship. Whether at an institutional level or the
most personal, we have great amounts of work to do to let the Spirit speak.
Paul, in Ephesians, says we are to live in a manner worthy of the call we have
received. Too often, our insecurities and our propensity to compare prohibits
our capacity to be free enough to honor our call.
Sometimes it seems that the humility
and gentleness Paul writes about is largely withheld. It has little room in
public discourse and in a competitive workplace environment, we tend not to
build up one another and yet when we do, it transforms our culture. Many broken
lives can be healed by these thoughtful gestures.
Many confuse enabling actions with
being patient and bearing with one another in love. Being patient means that we
forgive tumbles and stumbles and we help the other person stand tall and see
new ways of achieving his or her goal. I think many recognize the world is rife
with overwhelming suffering. Bearing with another means that we simply show up
for the one who feels beaten down at the moment.
Paul also writes about
"preserving the unity of spirit through the bond of peace." Our
language mirrors that of the larger society. We learn to critically examine and
analyze various situations and we offer suggestions to solve problems through
our own individual ways. Rather, we have to learn to build up and assemble
rather than to criticize and deconstruct. The Spirit works when we see
ourselves as a contributor to the solution. We decide to construct a world
where unity and virtues can be more easily grasped. Paul reminds us that the
Spirit uses our unique gifts to testify to the good work of God that passes
through our hands. Our attitude is important.
We need to act out of our trust in the
Spirit rather than from our insecurities and jealousies. When we believe the
success of an endeavor depends upon how well we do things, we have sorely
missed the point. Our gratitude goes to the Spirit who opens up the
possibilities for us and we celebrate the small contributions we make. We make
things far too difficult for ourselves. Suffering is far too omnipresent for
our sensibilities. We do not need to pile up more hardships upon ourselves. When
we give up control and see where it rightly belongs, we act out of grace that
makes life a whole lot more pleasant. In these next days, let's pray fervently
that we receive Christ's Spirit anew as we await Pentecost. If we let it, this
Spirit can certainly renew our world and bring us greater joy.
Themes for this Week’s Masses
First
Reading: Paul goes to Ephesus to introduce believers to the
Holy Spirit. Paul recounts the ways he served the Lord with humility, tears and
trials, but he returns to an uncertain fate in Jerusalem. As Paul says goodbye,
he urges them to keep watch over each other and to be vigilant about those who
pervert the truth of the Gospel. Paul is brought to trial. The Pharisees and
Sadducees are sharply divided; armed forces are sent to rescue Paul from their
midst. The Lord tells Paul he must go to Rome and be faithful there just as he
was faithful in Jerusalem. King Agrippa hears Paul's case and determines Paul is
to be tried in Jerusalem, but Paul, as a Roman citizen, appeals for the
Emperor's decision.
Gospel:
The disciples realize Jesus is returning to the Father and that he is
strengthening them for the time he is away. Jesus prays for the safety of those
given to him by God. He wants them to be safe as they testify to God's
steadfastness in a harsh world. He prays for unity, "so that they may be
one just as we are one." He consecrates them to the truth and wards off
the Evil One. He also prays for those given to him through the testimony of
others. The love Jesus and the Father share is available to future disciples. ~
After the Farewell Discourse ends, Jesus appears at the seashore with Simon
Peter who professes his three-fold love of Jesus. Jesus forgives him and asks
him to take care of his people even though the authorities of this world will
eventually have their day with him.
Saints of the Week
May 20: Bernardine of Siena, priest, (1380-1444)
was from a family of nobles who cared for the sick during plagues. He entered
the Franciscans and preached across northern and central Italy with homilies
that understood the needs of the laity. He became vicar general and instituted
reforms.
May 21: Christopher Magallanes, priest and
companions, martyrs (1869-1927) was a Mexican priest who served the
indigenous people by forming agrarian communities. He opened seminaries when
the ant-Catholic government kept shutting them down. He was arrested and
executed with 21 priests and 3 laymen.
May 22: Rita of Cascia, religious (1381-1457),
always wanted to become a nun but her family married her off to an abusive man.
He was murdered 18 years later. Rita urged forgiveness when her two sons wanted
to avenge their father's murder. They soon died too. Rita wanted to enter a
convent, but he marital status kept her out. Eventually, the Augustinians in
Cascia admitted her. She became a mystic and counselor to lay visitors.
May 24: Our Lady of the Way or in Italian, Madonna della Strada, is a painting
enshrined at the Church of the Gesu in Rome, the mother church of the Society
of Jesus. The Madonna Della Strada is the patroness of the Society of Jesus. In
1568, Cardinal Farnese erected the Gesu in place of the former church of Santa
Maria della Strada.
May 25: Bede the Venerable, priest and doctor,
(673-735), is the only English doctor of the church. As a child, he was
sent to a Benedictine monastery where he studied theology and was ordained. He
wrote thorough commentaries on scripture and history as well as poetry and
biographies. His famous work is the "Ecclesiastical History of the English
People," the source for much of Anglo-Saxon history.
May 25: Gregory VII, pope (1020-1085), was a
Tuscan who was sent to a monastery to study under John Gratian, who became
Gregory VI. He served the next few popes as chaplain, treasurer, chancellor and
counselor before he became Gregory VII. He introduced strong reforms over civil
authorities that caused much consternation. Eventually, the Romans turned
against him when the Normans sacked Rome.
May 25: Mary Magdalene de'Pazzi (1566-1607), a
Florentine, chose to become a Carmelite nun instead of getting married. Her
biography, written by her confessor, gives accounts of intense bouts of
desolation and joy. She is reputed to have gifts of prophecy and healing.
May 26: Philip Neri, priest (1515-1595), is
known as the "Apostle of Rome." A Florentine who was educated by the
Dominicans, he re-evangelized Roe by establishing confraternities of laymen to
minister to pilgrims and the sick in hospitals. He founded the Oratorians when
he gathered a sufficient following because of his spiritual wisdom.
This Week in Jesuit History
·
May 20, 1521. Ignatius was seriously
wounded at Pamplona, Spain, while defending its fortress against the French.
·
May 21, 1925. Pius XI canonizes Peter
Canisius, with Teresa of the Child Jesus, Mary Madeleine Postal, Madeleine
Sophie Barat, John Vianney, and John Eudes. Canisius is declared a Doctor of
the Church.
·
May 22, 1965. Pedro Arrupe was elected
the 28th general of the Society of Jesus.
·
May 23, 1873. The death of Peter de
Smet, a famous missionary among Native Americans of the great plains and mountains
of the United States. He served as a mediator and negotiator of several
treaties.
·
May 24, 1834. Don Pedro IV expelled the
Society from Brazil.
·
May 25, 1569. At Rome the Society was
installed by Pope St Pius V in the College of Penitentiaries. Priests of
various nationalities who were resident there were required to act as
confessors in St Peter's.
·
May 26, 1673. Ching Wei‑San (Emmanuel
de Sigueira) dies, the first Chinese Jesuit priest.
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