Feast of the Ascension

 It seems, on the face of it, that we have two presentations of the mystery of the Ascension in our readings today. What is even more fascinating is that we know the accounts were written by the same author, that is, St Luke. Clearly the theology of the author is in play. There is not enough space in this reflection to address all of it. When we consider the gospel, the Ascension occurs on Easter Sunday. This day starts as "early dawn" (Lk 24: 1) with the discovery of the empty tomb and "on that same day" (Lk 24: 13) speaks of the disciples on the road to Emmaus. These disciples say to the mysterious stranger: "Stay with us, because it is almost evening" (Lk 24: 29). They recognize the Lord at the breaking of the bread and return about seven miles (Lk 24: 13) to Jerusalem. Jesus then appears to the gathered disciples and commissions them to continue his ministry of repentance and proclamation of the Word. Next: "... he led them out as far as Bethany" (Lk 24: 50). Bethany is about two miles from Jerusalem. They see the Lord then ascend to heaven and return the two miles to Jerusalem with great joy. (Lk 24: 52) Surely it would have been dark by then? My opinion is that the Resurrection day, theologically speaking, is an endless day, as we heard last Sunday: "And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of the Lord is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb." (Rev 21: 23) 

6th Sunday of Easter

 Jesus promises his disciples: "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you." (Jn 14: 26) Here we have a real sense of how the Incarnation is prolonged in the life of the Church. In this way the People of God continue to receive the Holy Spirit and is kept obedient to the mission given her by the Messiah. This is not a static one-off event, witnessed one and for all, at Pentecost. Each time we come to Mass the priest asks the Father to send the Holy Spirit so that the Eucharistic sacrifice may be enacted which makes Christ substantially and truly present to us in the consecrated species. This is especially the case in those prayers composed after Vatican II, for example: "Make holy, therefore, these gifts we pray, by sending down your Spirit upon them like the dewfall" (EP II) and "Therefore, O Lord, we humbly implore you: by the same Spirit graciously make holy these gifts we have brought to you for consecration..." (Ep III) Our gathering at Mass therefore becomes a living memorial which mediates the power of God to influence our lives and bind us in unity as Church. I encourage parishioners to be attentive to the wording of the prayers and to hear how the Holy Spirit brings us to experience the power of God even as we journey in "hac lacrimarum valle" (this valley of tears) (Salve Regina)

5th Sunday of Easter

 In the resurrection Creation is made new. It is the eighth day when the sabbath rest has ended and humanity is formed anew by the second Adam. In baptism we are reborn to this life: "Therefore, we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life." (Rm 6: 4) Thus, we gather for Eucharist as a new people called to a new life, on the "first day of the week." (Acts 20: 7) In the book of Revelation, the Risen One proclaims from the throne: "See, I am making all things new." (Rev 21: 5) St Augustine tell us that a new man sings a new song. (Sermo 34) Today Jesus tells his disciples: "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another." (Jn 21: 34) What is so new about this commandment? Already, in the Old Testament, God has commanded: "... but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD." (Lev 19: 18) It is important that we continue to read or listen as Jesus continues: "Just as I have loved you, you should also love one another." (Jn 21: 34) The novelty of the commandment is brought about by the revelation of Jesus' perfect love for his disciples. Let us continue to listen to the Lord and imitate him in our relationships so that our love may be perfected and our joy be complete.

4th Sunday of Easter

 Gathering for Sunday Mass we always have the readings from Scripture, as selected for us by the Church. These readings, especially the Gospel, are when we, the People of God, most authentically attend to the living Word: "Jesus said: 'My sheep hear my voice. I know them and they follow me'." (Jn 10: 27) Since we have the same readings throughout the world, we know that Catholics in virtually every country are also listening to the Word of God. We can readily imagine this as being paralleled by the heavenly liturgy in the Second Reading: "After this I, John, looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands." (Rev 7: 9) What is the role of clergy in this liturgy? They do not act in the absence of the Lord for he is present in the Word, the people, the priest and the Blessed Sacrament. In the Canon Law we read: "The eucharistic celebration is the action of Christ himself and the Church. In it, Christ the Lord, through the ministry of the priest, offers himself, substantially present under the species of bread and wine, to God the Father and gives himself as spiritual food to the faithful united with his suffering." (c. 899 para 1) The priest, when he acts in persona Christi capitis (Lat. in the person of Christ the Head) breaks open the Word and offers gift and sacrifice which is the living memorial of the Risen Lord. In this way the power and presence of Jesus Christ is not stranded in history but is active today. To this end, promotion of vocations to ordained ministry is essential to the life of the Church. Finally, why has the Church engaged in this activity week in and week out throughout the centuries since Jesus was crucified, died and was buried? The Lord himself promises: "I give them eternal life and they will never perish." (Jn 10:28)