“Called forth to ‘be the shining lamp, that lights up God’s House!'”
(Based on the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord)
In a certain mountain village in Europe several centuries ago, a nobleman wondered what legacy he should leave to his townspeople.
Finally, he decided to build a church for a legacy.
The complete plans for the church were kept secret until its completion.
When the people gathered, they marvelled at the church’s beauty and its completeness.
Following many comments of praise, an astute observer inquired,
“But where are the lamps? How will the church be lighted?”
Without answer, the nobleman pointed to some brackets in the wall; he then gave to each family a lamp to be carried to the prayer service and hung on the wall.
“Each time you are here, the area where you are seated will be lighted,” the nobleman explained.
“Each time you are not here, that area will be dark. Whenever you fail to come to church, some part of God’s house will be dark!”
The faithfulness of the people in coming for prayer would determine the intensity of light, in their particular spot in the Church.
As followers of Christ, all are called to be the “light of the world”…
… and all are expected to live in faithfulness and loyalty to the Kingdom – for the Glory of God!
Ascension Sunday is a beautiful day to renew our commitment to Jesus, the One Who has called and chosen us (Cf. Jn 15:16)…
… as He calls us to leave behind “legacies of light” and be His witnesses.
The Solemnity of the Ascension proclaims the day when Jesus ascended to the heavens, as a culmination of the glory of the Resurrection
We are also reminded today of the Mission mandate of preaching His Good News to everyone!
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 the beautiful invitation to every Christian on the way to live – to look 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.
Before His Ascension, as we read in the Gospel of St Luke, Jesus pronounces two important declarations:
- “You are witnesses of these things” (Lk 24:48)
- “I am sending upon you what My Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with Power from on high.” (Lk 24:49)
These two declarations of the Lord was a call to constantly…
… ‘relive’ their experiences, as witnesses, with the Lord – and to know He is with them always
… ‘realise’ that they would be strengthened by the Holy Spirit in all aspects of life
It’s these two declarations that ought to become the motivation and strength for every disciple of Christ to evangelise the world…
- My God is with me always, and I have nothing to be afraid of!
- My God is all-knowing and all-powerful and He will protect me always!
We are assured that “great things happen, when God mixes with us” as we are reminded:
… He is “WITH YOU ALWAYS” (abiding and protecting)
… He is the great “I AM” (sovereign and powerful)
(Let us, therefore, never forget these 5 beautiful words that the Lord tells to all of us, at all moments: “I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS!”)
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 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 hearts 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 ‘ascend’ with His Mercy – in holiness and purity of life!
Is regret and remorse discouraging us? Let us ‘ascend’ with His Healing – in joy and hope!
Is anger and jealousy pulling us down? Let us ‘ascend’ with His Grace – in gentleness and gratitude!
As we give heed to the Great Commission of Jesus – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations (Cf. Mt 28:19) – to become fruitful evangelizers in the world, the words of St Teresa of Avila are a great inspiration:
“Christ has no body but yours!
No hands, no feet on earth but yours.
Yours are the eyes with which He looks compassion on this
world.
Yours are the feet with which He walks to do good.
Yours are the hands with which He blesses all the world.”
Each one of us is called forth to “be the shining lamp, that lights up God’s House!”
It is our faithfulness to God that would determine the intensity of this light
As followers of Christ, let us live in faithfulness and loyalty to the Kingdom – for the Glory of God!
Happy Feast of the Ascension!
God Bless! Live Jesus!
📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Fourth Commandment – The Family and the society
Parents should initiate their children at an early age into the mysteries of the faith…
… of which they are the “first heralds” for their children.They should associate them from their tenderest years with the life of the Church. (CCC # 2225)
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