"ALL POWER IN HEAVEN AND
EARTH IS GIVEN TO ME"
EARTH IS GIVEN TO ME"
May we also
take the challenge of being a disciple and to witness to others the joy of the
Gospel and the hope of the Resurrection.
This
weekend on the Seventh Week of Easter, the Church celebrates the Ascension of
Our Lord. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus again appeared to the eleven on the
mountain; and He helped them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because
they had not believed those who saw Him after He had risen. Jesus said to them,
"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to
observe all that I have commanded you."
Jesus'
departure and ascension into heaven was both an end and a beginning for the
disciples. While it was the end of Jesus' physical presence with His beloved
disciples and those who believed in Him, it marked the beginning of Jesus'
presence with them and all people in a new way. Jesus promised that He would be
with them always to the end of time. He assured them of His power -- a power
that had overcome sin and death -- a power of peace, love, kindness, and joy. Now
as the glorified and risen Lord and Savior ascended to the right Hand of the
Father in heaven, Jesus promised to give the Apostles and disciples the power
of the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Blessed Trinity, and we see this
fulfilled on the Feast of Pentecost.
Today
we also are all called to this great work of salvation. Last Sunday we saw that
the Commandments are a proof of God's love for us. This weekend we consider
another proof of God's love for us -- Baptism. On the Ascension, Jesus takes
His rightful place beside His Father in heaven. We who try to live up to our
Baptism will join Jesus there, because Baptism gives us the right to heaven.
This sacrament gives many other blessings. Baptism gives us a share in God's
life. Our parents give us natural life. God gives us spiritual/supernatural
life, His own life. All by His grace! Is there any greater proof of love for
us? Baptism gives us certain spiritual power -- the power to believe, the power
to hope, the power to love. We call these powers the virtues of faith, hope,
and charity. Baptism makes everyone of us a disciple with each of our own
special gifts that we can give to others.
Today
we witness a new Pentecost as the Lord pours out his loving Spirit upon His
people to renew and strengthen the Body of Christ and to equip it for effective
ministry and mission world-wide. May we also take the challenge of being a
disciple and to witness to others the joy of the Gospel and the hope of the
Resurrection.