From the desk of

Fr. Gustavo

May 12, 2024

This Sunday is the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. The Ascension is the triumph of Jesus, the son of God, who after passing through the earth in the midst of problems and suffering, took care to destroy death and give us new life through his death and resurrection. The image of Jesus raising his hands blessed them, and as he blessed them, he moved away from them and rose to heaven. It is the living image of the Ascension of Jesus.

The Evangelist Luke narrates this story twice in the book of the Acts of the Apostles and I want to highlight this striking phrase from the first reading : “Galileans, what are you doing standing there, looking at the sky? That same Jesus who has left them to go up to Heaven, will return as they have seen him go away.” Jesus' earthly mission was completed and he ascended to Heaven. God has exalted and glorified Jesus. In such a way Jesus was glorified in his Ascension. In the main stained glass window of the altar of the Church of San Gregorio we can see this colorful image of the Ascension of Jesus surrounded by many people, perhaps parishioners from different cultures and the same message; go into the world and spread the Gospel.

In the Gospel, before saying goodbye, Jesus leaves a series of instructions to the disciples before ascending to Heaven and tells them: "Go into the world and make disciples." Our job, like that of the disciples, is to evangelize, it is to bring new life. The Mission of the church in the world is to announce him who has gone and will return. Saint Paul in the second reading also mentions that Jesus ascended to the heights, and remembers that he gave us his grace. In this way we are all called to perform various tasks in the church to reach the fullness of Jesus. In order for the church to act, it must receive that gift from heaven which is the Holy Spirit. Today we find ourselves before the preamble to Pentecost; but when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, he will fill you with strength. The Holy Spirit will defend us from spiritual battles. Every day we face countless tests on the battlefield of life that with faith and strength we must overcome with the confidence that Jesus accompanies us in Spirit and never abandons us. But remember that it is necessary to turn to God for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus is going to send us what his father always promised us to receive, strength from above. In this speech Jesus confirms the promise of the coming of the Holy Spirit and announces his second coming, at the end of time. Remember that our final destiny is to go up to Heaven one day. The same ticket awaits us with no final return.

Father Gustavo

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