For our work, for our condition of religious consecrated persons, for our situation in life… we dress accordingly, so, people will know to what group we belong… if we are working in this company, if we are CMT, if we are poor or rich…

The Gospel of Luke today says “… you are clothed with power from on high”, and adds “You are his name to all nations”. To be clothed with power from on high gives us a certain attitude in life.  If we are true and committed Christians, people will notice that we are charitable, that we love each other unconditionally, and that we forgive always, which is to be His witnesses, in His name, in all the nations, wherever we are. We cannot “preach” repentance and conversion for the forgiveness of sins if we don’t incarnate the attitude given by the Gospel’s values.  Francisco Palau believes that “… in you -Church- love is the Holy Spirit that effused over all the members of the body, corresponds with love to him who love him” (MR 22, 20).

What is this, about the celebration today, the Ascension of the Lord? First of all, because He is leaving, He makes the final announcement of the sending of the Holy Spirt, as He says “I am sending the promise of my Father upon you” – He is the one to clothe us with power from on high. The Church, through the New Catechism of the Catholic Church, tells us also the meaning of today’s feast day: “… Jesus Christ, the head of the Church, precedes us into the Father’s glorious kingdom so that we, the members of this Body, may live in the hope of one day being with him forever… intercedes for us constantly for us as the mediator who assures us of the permanent outpouring of the Holy Spirit” (NCCC 666-667).

When we are leaving for another place, there is always a ‘despedida’ party… in this case, Jesus “lead them out as far as Bethany, raised his hands, and bless them”… and “He parted from them and was taken up to heaven”; besides, there is always the last message of the person who is leaving.  In this case, was the prayer over of Jesus upon the disciples, which made them happy and they praised Him, “return to Jerusalem with great joy, and they were continually in the temple praising God.” Fr. Palau said – through the Church: “And when you bless the people you bless me because I am the people united to Christ, my Head… Whatever you do to your neighbor you do it to me because I am them and they are the Church” (MR 8, 12). To bless God is to serve the people of Palau.

Jesus left, but He is present among us in many ways, so now, it is the time of the Church, it is the time of His apostles and disciples, and it is our time to continue living what He thought us.

We are invited today to be Jesus’ witnesses and to be dressed from on high, to become His witnesses, to live joyfully, to worship Him, and to serve others.

 

Our Lady of Virtues Community,

Pangantucan, Bukidnon