Why did Jesus ascend to heaven?

Good News ReflectionThe Ascension of the LordMay 21, 2009
Today's Readings:Acts 1:1-11Ps 47:2-3, 6-9Eph 1:17-23 or Eph 4:1-13Mark 16:15-20http://www.usccb.org/nab/052109a.shtmlAudio:http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/09_05_21.mp3
Why did Jesus ascend to heaven?
Why did Jesus ascend to heaven? Think of how readily people would have converted if he had resumed his public ministry after his resurrection. Even the Pharisees who had seen him die would have fallen at his feet in repentance.
However, God's salvation plan for the world was much bigger than that, much greater. While Jesus walked the earth, he was but one human. Afterward, by giving himself in the Eucharist to his disciples, he became every human who takes this gift seriously. When we receive Jesus in the Eucharist, we unite ourselves to his mission. In every eucharistic liturgy, we are "co-missioned" — i.e., placed into mission with Jesus — to continue the ministry that he began.
As we see in today's Gospel reading, before he ascended to heaven, Jesus commissioned every disciple — including you and me today — for this task. This commissioning rite is repeated at the end of every Mass, when the priest, on behalf of Christ, sends us forth to love and serve the Lord to make a difference in the world.
It's a difficult mission. Humanly we are quite inadequate, so Jesus gave us his Holy Spirit. By uniting our spirit to his Spirit and then relying on God in every situation, adequacy is not the question. It's willingness. Are we willing to put time and effort and spiritual growth into being Christ's hands and feet and voice for the world?
Because Jesus ascended to heaven, he has no hands but our hands, and he has no voice but our voice.
Are you unhappy about the evils that exist in this world? God has great plans to bring his kingdom into these situations. Are you concerned about the abuses you see? Immorality on television? Injustices in your workplace? Divisions in your parish or hurtful behavior in your leaders? Jesus is far more disturbed by these evils than you are. However, he has no hands but your hands, and he has no voice but your voice.
Ever since Jesus ascended into heaven and sent his Holy Spirit to earth, God has chosen to minister to the world through us, first in our homes, then extending his love into our parishes and work-places and play-places.
In celebration of the Ascension of Our Lord, please join me in praying this:Lord Jesus, fill me with the presence of Your Holy Spirit and with the gifts You want me to use. Show me when and how to use these charisms. And help me to overcome my pride and fears and any other sins that are holding me back from the works that You are calling me to do. I want to be Your hands, Your feet, and Your voice, Lord Jesus. Amen!
And here's a scripture-prayer you can use: http://wordbytes.org/ministry/socialjustice.htmPublished by Catholic Digital Resources, you can order it for distribution here:http://catholicdr.com/faithbuilders/prayers/socialjustice.htm
For help in discerning your personal calling to the mission, try these:http://catholicdr.com/ebooks/GodsWill.htmor http://catholicdr.com/e-Classroom/Redeemer/
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