The Ascension of the Lord does not mean that we act in his absence. The concluding word of Mark's Gospel state: "And they went out and proclaimed the good news everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that accompanied it." (Mk 16: 20) The verb in Latin for "worked with" is "cooperate" (lat. Domino cooperante) It is crucial to our understanding of our mission as Catholics and evangelizers that we do not act alone when we strive to be "ambassadors for Christ" (2 Cor 5: 20). We cooperate with Christ knowing that his power is in his word not in our own righteousness. Christ works with us through the Holy Spirit leading others to know and love him as do. The signs, too, that accompany our proclamation of the Gospel through our speech and deeds confirm the power of Christ and his presence in our lives and in the Church. These show forth not in material prosperity but in the fruit of the Kingdom: "For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Romans 14: 17) The mystery of the Ascension takes the Risen Christ from our sight however it means that his presence fills the Earth as the Holy Spirit comes down upon the Church bestowing on her the gifts of the Spirit: wisdom, understanding, counsel fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord.
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