Thursday, May 13, 2010

Ascension, Year C, 13-05-10

Acts 1 : 1-11 Ephesians 1 : 17-23 Luke 24 : 46-53

The airport is a busy place. There are always people rushing here and there and going everywhere.

But the airport can be a rather emotional place too.

At the arrival hall, there is usually the excitement and the joy of meeting someone coming home or receiving a visitor from abroad.

Somehow, the arrival hall seems brighter and more cheerful.

On the other hand, the departure hall, which is on another level, seems more sober and solemn.

People are waving goodbye with sentimental faces.

Others may be giving each other a long handshake or a hug as they bid farewell.

Some have tears in their eyes, while others just have expressionless faces.

To say it all, saying goodbye and bidding farewell can be an emotional affair.

We don't have to go to the airport to know what the feeling is like.

On that note, we can understand how the disciples felt.

As Jesus ascended into heaven, it will be the last time they will see Him on earth.

He had been with them from the time He began His ministry, to His suffering and death and resurrection.

He had been with them in their joys and hopes, in their grief and sorrows, in their amazement and disappointment.

Just when they have begun to understand who Jesus is to them, and how much they needed Him, Jesus seemed to bid them farewell for good.

But the meaning of the Ascension is not about saying goodbye and bidding farewell.

In fact, Jesus raised His hand and it was not to wave goodbye to His disciples.

Rather, He lifted His hand to bless them.

The Ascension is not about Jesus going up to heaven and leaving His disciples with an empty absence.

Rather, in His Ascension to heaven, Jesus blessed His disciples and promised to be present with them in a more profound way.

And it's going to be a powerful presence.

Because it will be the presence of His Spirit - the Holy Spirit.

Jesus promised that He will be present in His Church through the Holy Spirit.

And throughout these 2000 over years, the promise has been kept and will always be kept.

Because it was Jesus who made that promise.

So despite the schisms and heresies, the fractions and divisions, Jesus is present.

Despite the violence and persecutions suffered by the Church, with Catholics being beaten and battered and beheaded, Jesus is present.

Despite the arrogance and elitism, the sinfulness and the horrendous scandals that are committed by the clergy and laity, Jesus is still present.

And in our pains and hurts, our sorrow and grief, our sin and shame, our hopes and dreams, Jesus is present with us and will always be present with us.

The Ascension also marks the beginning of the Church's Novena, the 9 days of prayer to prepare for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus promised us that we will be clothed with power from on high.

Yes, the Holy Spirit will be descending (touching down) on us so that Jesus will be present in us, His Church, always.

Let these nine days be days of prayer and spiritual preparation.

We wait for the arrival of the Holy Spirit who will empower us with truth and love, with joy and holiness, so that the world can see that Jesus in indeed present in us, the Church.