WEEK TWENTY ONE: THE ASCENSION AND PENTECOST - DAY 1
Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4b
MORNING FACE TO FACE WITH GOD:
Begin with Prayer to the Holy Spirit Prayer
Acts 1: 8-9: Jesus' Ascension: "But you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight." [Please read Acts 1: 6-12 for a better appreciation of the passage].
Read the Reflection; ask for the grace to be glad and rejoice intensely because of the great joy and the glory of Christ our Lord (#221)
Along with Mark who has a brief account of the Ascension of Jesus in the longer ending, there are two accounts of the Ascension in Luke's writings, his Gospel account and the Acts of the Apostles which has the more detailed account. In pondering the Ascension accounts, the reader receives some powerful insights into God's plan of salvation for us. The first fruit of the Risen Christ's Ascension is the gift of the Holy Spirit: "But you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1: 8) Secondly, while Jesus will return to His Father, He will continue to be Emmanuel, God among us in the Eucharist and through His Holy Spirit. With Jesus dwelling in His covenant family, and in our hearts, we will witness to the world about the saving deeds of God. Thirdly, an astonishing change takes place in the disciples at Jesus' Ascension. They are no longer afraid or feel orphaned. They are out in the marketplace and worship publicly in the temple, engaging in constant prayer and praise of God: "They did him homage and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and they were continually in the temple praising God." (Luke 24: 52-53)
The apostles have been transformed from a group of cowering men afraid of the world around them and staying hidden to being filled with the knowledge and insight of the Risen Christ. Death no longer has a grip upon them nor their own sin because of the love received from the Risen Christ. This transformation happened naturally, along with their deliberate actions. Their doubt was removed, their yearning for the Messiah has been answered in Jesus. We have the same opportunity to make the same intentional actions trusting in the Triune God for the same results in our own lives. Might will not get it done, only a willing and trusting spirit with an ear to listen and respond to the voice of the Risen Lord.
What is God saying to you? Your life is transformed in the presence of My risen Son, the disciples did nothing other than follow My divine will for their lives, the transformation happened naturally as they journeyed with Me.
Begin with Prayer to the Holy Spirit Prayer
Acts 1: 8-9: Jesus' Ascension: "But you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight." [Please read Acts 1: 6-12 for a better appreciation of the passage].
Read the Reflection; ask for the grace to be glad and rejoice intensely because of the great joy and the glory of Christ our Lord (#221)
Along with Mark who has a brief account of the Ascension of Jesus in the longer ending, there are two accounts of the Ascension in Luke's writings, his Gospel account and the Acts of the Apostles which has the more detailed account. In pondering the Ascension accounts, the reader receives some powerful insights into God's plan of salvation for us. The first fruit of the Risen Christ's Ascension is the gift of the Holy Spirit: "But you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1: 8) Secondly, while Jesus will return to His Father, He will continue to be Emmanuel, God among us in the Eucharist and through His Holy Spirit. With Jesus dwelling in His covenant family, and in our hearts, we will witness to the world about the saving deeds of God. Thirdly, an astonishing change takes place in the disciples at Jesus' Ascension. They are no longer afraid or feel orphaned. They are out in the marketplace and worship publicly in the temple, engaging in constant prayer and praise of God: "They did him homage and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and they were continually in the temple praising God." (Luke 24: 52-53)
The apostles have been transformed from a group of cowering men afraid of the world around them and staying hidden to being filled with the knowledge and insight of the Risen Christ. Death no longer has a grip upon them nor their own sin because of the love received from the Risen Christ. This transformation happened naturally, along with their deliberate actions. Their doubt was removed, their yearning for the Messiah has been answered in Jesus. We have the same opportunity to make the same intentional actions trusting in the Triune God for the same results in our own lives. Might will not get it done, only a willing and trusting spirit with an ear to listen and respond to the voice of the Risen Lord.
What is God saying to you? Your life is transformed in the presence of My risen Son, the disciples did nothing other than follow My divine will for their lives, the transformation happened naturally as they journeyed with Me.
Dear Father, I thank You for this transformation that is occurring within my life and the lives around us. The power of Your Holy Spirit transforms our thinking, our understanding and helps us see the world in a different light. Wash over us this day with Your living presence and transform us into Your disciples. Thank You Father for Your guidance and Your help, for the graces that You are revealing each day that draws us into Discipleship. Bless this day and all it has to offer, in Jesus name, Amen.
Mary, Our Lady of Victory, Pray for us.
St Joesph, Pattern of Patience, Pray for us.
Viva Cristo Rey
Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4b
No comments:
Post a Comment