St James Catholic Church

     Forty days after he rose from the dead, Jesus ascended to the Father in heaven. (The Church transferred Ascension Thursday to the Seventh Sunday of Easter, so more people could participate on the weekend.) Jesus’ mission had been accomplished. Now he commands the disciples to begin their mission. Once they received the Holy Spirit, they are to spread the Good News to the ends of the earth. But he assures them of one final thing, even as he reigns at the Father’s right hand, he will remain with them always.

     How often have we wished that Jesus would come down from heaven and do something about the terrible things going on in the world today? Such a thought fundamentally misunderstands two lessons from today’s readings. First of all, Jesus is already with us, as he promised his disciples. He is with us always, only not in flesh any longer. Secondly, in 30 A.D., he did not bring peace among nations or harmony between peoples. He did not bring miracle cures that could wipe out disease or disabilities. He did not bring prosperity and happiness to the whole world. No, he joined us in our human condition to share our suffering, redeem us from our sins, and lead us to eternal life with God. What he accomplished transcends the problems of every age, no matter how serious they are. It is now up to us, with the Lord’s help, to do what we can to solve the world’s problems, if only a little at a time.

     Not only does Jesus remain with us, as he promised, but we become Christ for others by virtue of our baptism. When we are baptized, we “put on Christ,” as the priest or deacon says in the baptismal rite. We become Christ for others when we allow him to do his work through us, when we give our time, our talents, and our energy to the Lord as God wills. Jesus has ascended, but         he is not gone. May that promise reassure us as we take up the mantle the first disciples left for us.

Love, Peace, Joy,

Fr. Bob

Fr. Bob