Scripture:
Acts 1:12-14
1 Peter 4:13-16
John 17:1-11a
Reflection:
Leavetaking!!! Each of us will at some point in our life, take leave of something or someone. Whether it happens many times or just a few, whether it is big or small or happy or sad, one thing is for certain, our lives as they were will be forever changed!
Saying goodbye to loved ones, changing jobs, moving to a new house or enrolling in a new school all bring about positive feelings as well as challenges. This time of year is full of different leave-takings. Our 8th graders just celebrated graduation last evening. This Friday is the last day of school for the summer. Many friends are traveling to different parts of the country to celebrate college graduations. I traveled back to Michigan for vacation with family and friends. In all of these instances, our time together had moments of joy and sadness as we parted ways and moved on with our lives.
Jesus’ apostles enjoyed these 40 days with their leader and friend. Now the time has come for Jesus to leave their physical presence and return to his father. His parting words to them are for our ears also.
“All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing 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. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of time.”
Wow, these are big marching orders!
As ministers of God’s Word, we are called to be the hands and feet, heart and soul of our brother, Jesus. It is no simple task to serve the people of God in the name of the One who created us. For the most part, life in ministry is filled with more joy and positive outcomes, relishing the outpouring of growth in love and faith that surrounds us in our faith community. For those times when ministry tries our patience, tests our faith and leads us to question whether we are really up to fulfilling those ‘marching orders’ Jesus has left us with, it is then we return to that promise Jesus gave us,
“And behold, I am with you always, until the end of time.”
To be effective servants we are called to openness in faith to embrace the large and small leave-takings that life throws at us. For me, right now, that picture includes illness of family and friends, abuse and injustice on the part of our government and our church and a general lack of mercy and compassion among people. In these trying days, I am so thankful for the presence of Jesus. I do believe that our church, the church that Jesus founded on love and mercy, is big enough for all the diversity that sometimes surrounds us. The faith and love of so many of God’s faithful people continues to enrich my life and help me stay on this path of servanthood that God called me to so many years ago and continues to remind me with these words:
“And behold, I am with you always, until the end of time.”
As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, may we give thanks for the many ways God graces and blesses our lives and Hang Tough!
HAPPY FEAST DAY!!!!!
Theresa Secord is a Pastoral Associate at St. Agnes Parish, Louisville, Kentucky.