“On this Ascension Sunday, being invigorated with the Spirit of Mission and Evangelisation, and becoming ‘doctors of healing and love’ in our world of suffering and pain!”

(Based on the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord)

A very poor family by the name of Carpenter, lived in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.

The oldest boy was given education in the city, with the help of some family friends, who generously financed his studies when they realized he wanted to become a doctor.

The boy Carpenter, graduated with honours…
… but declined all job offers to practice medicine in the city.

He decided to go back to the mountains, where there were many sick people and few doctors.

For many years he ministered to the sick. Some paid, most couldn’t.

He gave his very best and helped everyone he could.

In his old age, he was in broken health himself and almost penniless.

Two small rooms above the town grocery store were his home and office.
At the foot of the creaky stairs leading up to his office was a sign with these words: “Dr Carpenter is upstairs.”

One morning someone climbed those stairs to find their devoted doctor dead. The entire community was plunged into grief. They wanted to erect some kind of monument to him.

But they decided to simply write these words on a large tombstone: “Dr Carpenter is upstairs.”

Today, on this Ascension Day, the Church proudly displays the placard of hope and salvation: “Dr Carpenter is upstairs!”

But unlike the doctor boy who died, Jesus – the Divine Doctor of our souls – is alive…
… and continues to heal people and bring salvation to all people!

Yes, “Jesus, the Dr Carpenter is upstairs!”

The Solemnity of the Ascension proclaims the day when Jesus ascended to the heavens, as a culmination of the glory of the Resurrection:
“So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.” (Mk 16:19)

We are also reminded today of the Mission mandate of preaching His Good News to everyone: “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news[a] to the whole creation.” (Mk 16:15)

The Ascension of Jesus completes the resurrection.

The Resurrection is victory over death.
The Ascension lifts humanity to heaven.

Acts 1:10-11 says, “And while they were gazing into heaven as He went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven?’”

While it is quite natural for us to seek Jesus, who apparently “has gone far away from us,” the reality is that Jesus is now closer to us – closer than we can ever imagine!

It is as if they are saying to us, “Don’t misunderstand this moment. Don’t deny yourselves the gift that is being given you.”

The Ascension of the Lord is not about His absence but about His Presence.
It is not about His leaving but about His Presence that is assured and promised to all of us

It is not about a location but about a relationship.

This Feast is a beautiful invitation to every Christian on the way to live: By looking upward!

To transcend the needs of this world, and to have our highest priorities on God
To go beyond the pilgrim journey of this earth, and prepare meaningfully for eternity.

St Paul reminds us, “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God!” (Col 3:1)

Every moment, every hour and every day – Jesus tugs at our hearts, and invites us to “look upward”…
… and to have our focus on Him, Who was Crucified, but now is Risen and seated at God’s Right Hand!

The Psalmist states, “Blessed [are those]… in whose heart are the highways to Zion! (Ps 84:5)

We need to make an examination of our lives and make suitable changes for the good…
Is sin enslaving us?

Let us rise with His Mercy – in holiness and purity of life!

Is regret and remorse discouraging us?

Let us rise with His Healing – in joy and hope!

Is anger and jealousy pulling us down?

Let us rise with His Grace – in gentleness and gratitude!

May this Feast of the Ascension invigorate the Spirit of Mission and Evangelisation…
… and spur us to be “doctors of healing and love” in our world of suffering and pain!

Yes, “Dr Carpenter is Upstairs!”

Happy Feast of the Ascension!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – THE MORAL LAW

Application of the natural law varies greatly…
… it can demand reflection that takes account of various conditions of life according to places, times, and circumstances.
Nevertheless, in the diversity of cultures, the natural law remains as a rule that binds men among themselves…

… and imposes on them, beyond the inevitable differences, common principles. (CCC # 1957)