Sunday, May 29th, 2022 – The Ascension of the Lord - Cycle C Readings: Acts 7:55-60, Psalm 97:1-2, 6-7, 9, “The Lord is king, the most high over all the earth.”, Revelations 22, John 17:20-26

     We congratulate all the graduates from our parish and we recognize and pray for them on this Sunday. We thank the Lord for how far he has brought them and pray that he guides them as they begin a new phase in their lives. We also congratulate our five children who received their First Holy Communion last week Sunday. It is our prayer that the reception of the Holy Eucharist helps them to grow stronger in the faith, and love of God.
    This year’s catechetical program was successful due to the grace of God and the collaboration of our Religious Education coordinators, Catechists and parents. We are very grateful for sharing your time and talents with us. God richly bless you.
   This Sunday we celebrate the Ascension of our Lord into heaven. Parting messages have a great impact in the lives of people. Many students, newly married couples, seminarians, travelers vividly remember the final admonition and blessing of a heart- broken parent. Often time school leavers hold on for years to the parting wisdom of an inspirational teacher. An employer can frequently recall the parting outburst of the sacked employee. Final words have the power to make or to break, to challenge or to crush, to inspire or inhibit, to energize or deflate. We might recall the story of Elijah in 2kgs 2:8-15, when he was taken up by a chariot drawn by horses of fire as Elisha looked on.
    From that time on his disciple Elisha received the spirit of his master and was empowered to continue his mission. Elisha began to do exactly as Elijah had done. The parting words of Christ, as he left his disciples on Ascension Day, are no exception. “‘You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.”
    Thus, does Luke describe for us the Ascension of the Lord in the Acts of the Apostles. Jesus’ life on earth finished not with his death on the Cross but with his Ascension into Heaven. The disciples who saw Jesus die amid insults, scoffing and mockery on the cross now see him exalted. The ascension strengthens and nourishes our hope of attaining heaven. It invites us to lift up our heart, as the preface of the Mass says, and seek the things that are above.
    Our hope is firm because Christ himself has gone to prepare a place for us. Jesus departs, but he remains close to each of us. In a special way in the Holy Eucharist, which our eleven children received for the first time on this day.
    As we celebrate this solemnity, Jesus wishes each of us to remain in his place, sanctifying the world from within, improving it and placing it at the feet of God. May the Lord bless us all. In the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen. Father Paschal Chester