Tag Archives: Feast of the Ascension

Feast of the Ascension

Homilies,

To watch Fr. Joe’s Homily from the Feast of the Ascension: CLICK HERE!

We heard today in the First Reading from Acts of the Apostles, the author Luke addresses the book to: Theophilus, just as he did his Gospel.  Who is Theophilus? We are not sure, but Theophilus means “lover of God” and it might well be that the book is addressed to ANYONE answering to the name: Lover of God…

The Acts of the Apostles is intended to show how “Theophilus style Christians” continue the Mission and Ministry of Jesus Christ.  Often, the Gospel is seen in all those little words and actions by us “Lovers of God” that reflect the care and love of God each and every day as person, family and faith community.

And if we are looking for places to be “Lovers of God” in our time and place, consider the words of Pope Francis, “Everything we would like others to do for us, let us do for them instead.”

Do we want to be heard?  Let us listen first.

Do we need encouragement?  Let us give encouragement.

Do we want someone to care for us?  Let us care for those who are alone, abandoned.

Feast of the Ascension

Homilies,

On this Feast of the Ascension of Jesus into Heaven we are reminded that having completed his mission on Earth Jesus commissions his Disciples of yesterday and today to continue to witness to His life, death and resurrection through the lives we live daily with all.

There is no question that God wanted and wants the best for all people (past, present and future) a desire exemplified in Jesus.

Jesus changed the lives of people for the better some 2,000 years ago, as many other disciples have done of the past 2,000 years.

There is no doubt that we live in challenging times…  Yet working for a better world is possible…

Says Father James Keller, the founder of The Christophers, “Our world will change for the better when there are more people who get into the thick of things and fewer who sit on the sidelines finding fault;  when there are more people who point out what is right and fewer who harp on what is wrong;  when there are more people interested in lighting candles and fewer in blowing them out.”

It almost sounds like Jesus in the Gospel today who says to his Disciples, “Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature…”

There is no one way to do this.  But simply put it might just mean bring the goodness, the love, the mercy of God and so much more not only by the words we use, but by the lives we live daily to an always watchful, waiting and appreciative people.

Feast of the Ascension

Homilies,

Scripture Readings:    Acts 1:1-11    Ephesians 1:17-23    Mark 16:15-20

For me the First Reading today from the Acts of the Apostles says it all, not just to the Disciples of Jesus some 2000 years ago but to us, the Disciples of today.

Jesus says to us, what he has said to other people of faith over the centuries, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses to the Ends of the Earth.”

Maybe if Jesus was here today, he might say, “Do you believe this?”  Hopefully our response is YES…

But like the Disciple of our reading today, we get distracted, and who would not have been distracted, as they watched Jesus – Ascend into the Heavens?

But then the “two men dressed in white garments,” bring the Disciples back to reality, when they say, “Time to live, time to share the message of the resurrected Jesus with others.  Boys get to work!”

Now in 2015, we are being reminded that we too have important work to do!  Sharing the Gospel message of Jesus with others, a message of life, love, acceptance, healing, forgiveness, hope, peace and so much more, to not just the people we call family and friends, neighbors, co-workers, classmates, parishioners and even strangers, but to everyone we encounter each day.

May we grow in being Faithful Disciples of the Lord and continue to be Witness to all that is good and all that is of God, to one another and all others daily.

May we never waste time in standing around, looking up into the sky or looking down, lest someone say to us, “boys and girls, why are your heads down, looking at your Smartphone, time to get to work in Witnessing to Jesus and the Gospel everyday.”