The Ascension of the Lord

THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST  Good evening/morning everyone. I am so happy to welcome you all for today's Holy Mass. Our special welcome to all our parishioners, Summer parishioners, visitors and everyone here today. Friends in Ascended Christ, let us thank God almighty for bringing us all here to this beautiful Church of St. Paul the Apostle community. Let us thank Him, for sending His only Son our Lord Jesus Christ to be with  us forever. Let us thank Him for showering upon us the gifts of the Holy Spirit each and every day.  Once  an older woman went to church and said to the usher, "would you please kindly take me to the front pew". The usher was so helpful saying to her, "why front pew. Our pastor's preaching is so boring. Why don't do sit at the back". She said, "Do you know who I am?" No. Then she said, "I am the pastor's Mother". Then the usher looked at her and said, "Do you know who I am?" She said, "No. I don't" And he said, "Thank God". 

Today the Holy Catholic Church celebrates the solemn feast of the Ascension of Christ our Lord. 

Christ our Lord, after His glorious Resurrection, for forty days stayed on earth, appearing to His apostles, disciples and other followers preparing them to send out to preach the Good News of Salvation. As He appeared to them, He shared with them divine peace, the peace that the world cannot give. And on the fortieth day, in the presence of His disciples and followers, wake taken up bodily to heaven. Yes, He who descended to be with us, He who did miracles and wonders for us and He who suffered and died on the cross for us and He who rose from the dead, ascended into heaven. 

Once Leonardo Da Vinci started a beautiful painting and for a while he worked at it. It came out so beautiful with its perspective, outline and color then he suddenly stopped the painting. He stopped working on it and asked one of his students to finish it. The student was horrified and shocked and said, "you are a genius and you know what you do. How can I finish your work? Da Vinci  silenced him saying, "will not what I have done inspire you to do your best?' 

Yes, Christ before ascending to His Father asks His disciples to look after His sheep and asks them to finish the picture saying He will be with us until the end of time. 

1. The Ascension of the Lord tells us where the Risen Christ is now: He is now sitting at the right hand of the Father and fulfilling all our needs. The Good Shepherd is looking after His sheep. Jesus who lived, died and came back to life is still with us. Every time we pray, read the bible and come to Church, we experience His presence among us     2. The Ascension of the Lord tells us why Christ appeared to His disciples: He appeared to them to remove their fears and anxieties. He appeared to the to increase their hope and faith and He appeared to them so that they would know that Christ loves them unconditionally. Every time, Christ appeared to them, He gave them peace and hope saying, "Do not be afraid. I will be with you until the end of time"  3. The Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ tells us that the Lord will come again on the last day. His coming will be our glory and joy. He comes to judge us and those who follow Him, will have life everlasting. And we who follow Him will be given new life. Let us continue His mission of love and forgiveness until the Lord comes.   4. The Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ tells us that those who follow Him should go out and preach the Good News to all, baptizing them in the name of the father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Jesus says we do not need to be worried of what to say and how to say it, because everything will be given to us at that time.   So let us celebrate his resurrection and ascension and celebrate our life in Him. Amen.