All partings are difficult. It is never easy to say, “Goodbye.” But now the time also came for Jesus, to return from earth to heaven. Today’s Gospel (Mark 16:15-20) tells us that after Jesus completed his mission on earth he returned and took his seat at the right hand of the Father again. But this was not actually the end of Jesus’ mission because before he ascended he entrusted his mission to the Church and he commanded the Apostles to, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the good news to all creation.” (Mark 16:15)
So the Church, through its bishops who are the successors of the Apostles, and its priests who are the bishops' assistants, and the deacons, who assist the priests continue what Jesus began. Jesus is present in the Church and continues his ministry in and through the Church. The Gospel reminded us of Jesus’ continual presence in the Church after his ascension.
Jesus' presence in the Church and working through the Church is also very clear in the Acts of the Apostles. Many times in Acts we see Jesus guiding the Church and leading the Church. Although Jesus is no longer physically present after his ascension, many times in the account of the early Church in Acts we see that Jesus is present with the Church. In fact if we look at the readings for the 7 Sunday of Easter (In Australia we celebrate the Ascension of Jesus instead,) We see how Peter assumes the role of spokesperson for the group and initiates the process for selecting a replacement for Judas (Acts 1:15-17).
In setting forth the criteria for selecting the new apostle, Peter has one main standard: the man must have accompanied them the entire time during Jesus' public ministry – and the Lord himself must do the selecting. So, the Twelve must bear truthful witness to the conviction that the reality of the risen Christ is at one with the reality of the early church.
Jesus is with us in a new way after his ascension; now he is with us in the Church and he equips his Church to continue his work by giving different gifts to different members of the Church. What is the gift Jesus gave for you to use for the Church? He must have given you a gift to be used for the benefit of all His Church. Ideally as soon as everyone receives the Sacrament of Confirmation they should take on some role helping in the Church, using their gift for the service of the Church.
We should strive to let the whole world see that the Church, and our parish, is the place where Jesus continues to be present after his ascension. Is that what you are doing in your daily life to help the Church grow and expand?
So the Church, through its bishops who are the successors of the Apostles, and its priests who are the bishops' assistants, and the deacons, who assist the priests continue what Jesus began. Jesus is present in the Church and continues his ministry in and through the Church. The Gospel reminded us of Jesus’ continual presence in the Church after his ascension.
Jesus' presence in the Church and working through the Church is also very clear in the Acts of the Apostles. Many times in Acts we see Jesus guiding the Church and leading the Church. Although Jesus is no longer physically present after his ascension, many times in the account of the early Church in Acts we see that Jesus is present with the Church. In fact if we look at the readings for the 7 Sunday of Easter (In Australia we celebrate the Ascension of Jesus instead,) We see how Peter assumes the role of spokesperson for the group and initiates the process for selecting a replacement for Judas (Acts 1:15-17).
In setting forth the criteria for selecting the new apostle, Peter has one main standard: the man must have accompanied them the entire time during Jesus' public ministry – and the Lord himself must do the selecting. So, the Twelve must bear truthful witness to the conviction that the reality of the risen Christ is at one with the reality of the early church.
Jesus is with us in a new way after his ascension; now he is with us in the Church and he equips his Church to continue his work by giving different gifts to different members of the Church. What is the gift Jesus gave for you to use for the Church? He must have given you a gift to be used for the benefit of all His Church. Ideally as soon as everyone receives the Sacrament of Confirmation they should take on some role helping in the Church, using their gift for the service of the Church.
We should strive to let the whole world see that the Church, and our parish, is the place where Jesus continues to be present after his ascension. Is that what you are doing in your daily life to help the Church grow and expand?
RSS Feed