Since Ascension Thursday has been "sundayized" in New Zealand the Church makes it possible for the readings of the 7th Sunday of Easter to be used today as an option. It may help Mass goers to look at the readings for both Sundays (Jn 15: 9-17 and Jn 17: 11b-19) together to enter more deeply into the mystery of the Ascension which will be celebrated on Sunday 16 May. When we look at both gospels we get a sense of Jesus, prior to his Passion but also in his Ascension, is bequeathing a legacy so that the Church, founded on the motherhood of Mary and the rock of Peter's faith, can continue the mission of salvation. He assures us that: if we keep his commandments we will abide in his love; if we follow him our joy will be complete; we are his friends because we know what he is doing; he has chosen us to go out and bear fruit; the Father will protect us so that we may be one; we do not belong to the world as he does not belong to the world; we have been sanctified in the truth; we are sent into the world just as he was sent into the world. Taken together we can see that the Church is not alone or unprepared for the mission she has received. Yet, sometimes, we doubt ourselves. We lose faith that the Scriptures, sacraments, Tradition and prayers that have been handed on to us still "work." The siren call of contemporary means of self improvement can cause us to put our trust in worldly alternatives to the gospel. The challenge today is for us to abide in the Father's love: "As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love." (Jn 15: 9-10)
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