Wednesday, May 28, 2014

The Ascension of the Lord, 29.05.2014

Acts 1:1-11/ Ephesians 1:17-23/ Matthew 28:16-20

One of the often-used expressions in our conversation with others is this so-called “word”: Err….

We can call it an expression, or a term, or an interjection, or whatever, this “err…” can be used for pretty much everything and any occasion.

One of the common uses is to stall for time, to “buy” time, so to speak.

We may use that word to let the other person know that we are thinking about what he said before we make a response.

Or we may use that word when we don’t have words or ideas or we are just lost.

Or when we are hesitant to reply, and to break the stark silence, we use “err..”

In the gospel, we heard that the eleven disciples (the eleven apostles) set out for Galilee to the mountain where Jesus had arranged to meet them.

When they say Him, they fell down before Him. And strangely, the gospel also added this line “though some hesitated”.

We would have presumed that the faith of those eleven apostles would be strong and firm.

Yet, for whatever reason, some hesitated. And that tells us something about their faith and about our faith.

As much as the faith of the apostles in Jesus should be strong and firm, we must also remember that they are human.

Faith can fluctuate and as much as it can be strong and firm, there will be times when faith and will hesitate and there can be doubts.

So, even when apostles saw Jesus, some went down in adoration, while others stalled in hesitation.

In any case, Jesus still sends them forth when He said: Go, make disciples of all nations.

So, whether in faith or in doubt, in adoration or in hesitation, whether it is “Amen” or “Err…” Jesus tells them to go on and go ahead because He will be with them always, even to the end of time.

This hesitation of some of the disciples is very consoling to us as we gather to celebrate the Ascension.

Because it gives us much courage and hope. 

Our faith has its share of doubts and hesitations. Even though we may say “Amen”, we will also succumb to that “Err…”

But just as Jesus sent forth His disciples into the world to preach the Good News and to make disciples, so too Jesus sends us.

And He promises us that He will be with us always, even to the end of time.

Let us not hesitate or “Err…” to that but respond with a firm “Amen”.