[Salvation]

The Word Among Us

Meditation: Acts 1:1-11

7th Sunday of Easter or The Ascension of the Lord

“He was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.” (Acts 1:9)

Today is a marvel of a feast day. Not only do we look back to Easter, when Jesus promised to be with us always. We also look ahead to Pentecost, when he will pour the love of God into our hearts through the power of his Holy Spirit.

But there’s more to the Ascension than this back-and-forth vision. Today we celebrate the day when Jesus took up his throne in heaven. Entrusted with all of creation, seated at the right hand of God, he is now surrounded by an unending cascade of heavenly worship. But what is he doing in heaven? Rather than just soaking in all the praise, he is constantly working for us—primarily by praying for us!

Don’t you find this amazing? You have someone speaking on your behalf—even singing your praises—to almighty God! Jesus is standing with you, his hand on your shoulder, like an advocate, praying not only for you but with you! He takes to himself all of your confusion, your pain, your needs, and transforms them. Miraculously, he even dissipates some of them!

You have the greatest pray-er in all creation on your side. What confidence that should give you! What hope and freedom from anxiety! You don’t have to go through your days feeling overwhelmed or underprepared. Jesus himself is standing with the Father, speaking boldly on your behalf. He is the God who is for you. So who, or what, can ever stand against you?

Sure, problems and pain may still come. But even in the midst of these, you can be confident that Jesus will obtain for you all the resources you need—even when you are dealing with sickness, poverty, imprisonment, or hunger. What’s more, he will even forgive you when you fall and help you to do better next time.

“Jesus, I praise you for your heavenly glory! I believe that you are my advocate before the throne of the Father. Help me experience your support and encouragement today.”

Psalm 47:2-3, 6-9; Ephesians 1:17-23; Luke 24:46-53

Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion

1. The first reading describes the ascension of the Lord. After Jesus ascends, we hear these words from what are obviously angels: “This Jesus who has been taken up into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.” This is an obvious reference to Jesus’ Second Coming. How important to you is the Second Coming of the Lord? How important should it be? Why?

2. The responsorial psalm provides a foreshadowing of the joy and celebration that may have occurred in heaven upon Jesus’ ascension and return. Spend a minute or so in quiet reflection and try to imagine your first day in Heaven. What do you think it would be like?

3. In the second reading, St. Paul prays a powerful prayer for the believers in Ephesus, and for us. The resurrection and ascension of Jesus to the right hand of the Father is part of this prayer. Pray this prayer together slowly and meditate on the words as you do. What does this prayer mean to you?

4. The Gospel reading ends with the ascension of Jesus “up to heaven.” It goes on to say that his disciples “returned to Jerusalem with great joy.” The Ascension of Jesus is a day of great rejoicing and hope for us as well, no matter what our current circumstances are—as we look forward to our own ascension. Why is this so? What steps can you take to be more open to our risen and ascended Lord’s presence during the day?

5. The meditation reminds us that the Feast of the Ascension of the Lord is also when we “celebrate the day when Jesus took up his throne in heaven. Entrusted with all of creation, seated at the right hand of God, he is now surrounded by an unending cascade of heavenly worship. But what is he doing in heaven? Rather than just soaking in all the praise, he is constantly working for us—primarily by praying for us! Don’t you find this amazing?” Hebrews 7:25 describes it this way: “Therefore, he is always able to save those who approach God through him, since he lives forever to make intercession for them” Well? Do you find it amazing that Jesus is constantly praying and interceding for you? Why or why not?

6. Take some time now to pray to Jesus, now ascended and exulted at the Father’s right hand. .Ask the Lord to give you a heart of gratitude that he is your advocate before the throne of your heavenly Father. Use the prayer at the end of the meditation as a starting point.

[Salvation]

A Christian Pilgrim

A LOVE THAT NEVER FAILS

(A biblical refection on THE SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER – May 12, 2013) 

Gospel Reading: John 17:20-26 

First Reading: Acts 7:55-60; Psalms: Ps 97:1-2,6-7,9; Second Reading: Rev 22:12-14,16-17,20 

The Scripture Text

“I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in Me through their word, that they may all be one; even as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me. The glory which Thou hast given Me I have given to them, that they may  be one even as We are one, I in them and Thou in Me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me and hast loved them even as Thou hast loved Me. Father, I desire that they also, whom Thou hast has given Me, may be with Me where I am, to behold My glory which Thou hast given Me in Thy love for Me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, the world has not known Thee, but I have known Thee; and these know that Thou hast Me. I made known to them Thy name, and I will make it known, that the love with which Thou hast loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” (Jn 17:20-26 RSV) 

Who could have imagined such love? Knowing He must soon die a terrible death, Jesus asked His Father to pour out on us the love of the Holy Spirit, the very love God Himself had for Jesus from all eternity. “I made known to them Thy name, and I will make it known, that the love with which Thou hast loved Me may be in them, and I in them” (Jn 17:26). It is both astounding and humbling, to think that there is no distinction at all in God’s love.

Think for a moment about how deeply God loves His Son. It was out of love for Him that God determined to present all creation to Jesus: “… all things were created through Him and for Him” (Col 1:16). God so loved Him that at Jesus’ baptism He joyfully declared before all, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Mt 3:17).

Jesus knew His Father’s love intimately, and it was this love that motivated His every action while He was with us: “… the Son can do nothing of His own accord, but only what He sees the Father doing; for whatever He does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all that He Himself is doing” (Jn 5:19-20). Jesus was so filled with the Father’s love that He was able to embrace all the cruelty and agony of the cross to win our salvation.

By the power of this cross, Jesus has crucified our fallen nature and freed us to be filled with the same love of God that He Himself experiences. This is a passionate love, powerful enough to soften the hardest of hearts and transform all of us into a people who love as deeply as God loves. This is an all-inclusive love, capable of breaking down every barrier of suspicion, resentment, and fear that keeps us separated from each other. This is a love that never fails, for the Father is always looking upon us in love, wanting only to bless and strengthen us as we turn to Him.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, in these days before Pentecost, fill everyone with an experience of God’s great love. Free us from fear and selfishness and replace it with the love of the Trinity, so that we can be one with God and one with all our sisters and brothers. Raise us up as witnesses to the world, inviting everyone to discover God’s transforming love available through Christ our Savior. Amen.