Author Topic: The ascension of Jesus  (Read 965 times)

hubag bohol

  • AMBASSADOR
  • THE SOURCE
  • *****
  • Posts: 89964
  • "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool...
    • View Profile
The ascension of Jesus
« on: May 08, 2016, 03:29:51 PM »



REFLECTIONS ON SUNDAY’S READINGS: MAY 8, 2016


Today is the Solemnity of the Ascension. The ascension of Jesus prepares the way for the powerful and enduring presence of the Holy Spirit in the disciples who continue his ministry and witness to his risen presence. The spirituality of Christ is connected to the world around us – the world of people and nature – a world with rich and poor, men and women, young and old, nature and grace, conflict and reconciliation, war and peace, sin and virtue, etc. The disciples are blessed and “clothed with power from on high” to be his presence and do his ministry in the midst of everything that is part of life. Now we are the ones in whom the Holy Spirit dwells, called to be the living presence of the risen Christ in our world. How have you been surprised by the presence of God in daily life? How can you bring the presence of God into difficult situations?

“The life of the spirit is not dissociated from the body or from nature or from worldly realities, but lived in and with them, in communion with all that surrounds us. …what all need is an “ecological conversion”, whereby the effects of their encounter with Jesus Christ become evident in their relationship with the world around them. Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience.” (#216, 217 Laudato Si)




Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=82262.0
...than to speak out and remove all doubt." - Abraham Lincoln

Book your travel tickets anywhere in the world, go to www.12go.co

unionbank online loan application low interest, credit card, easy and fast approval

hubag bohol

  • AMBASSADOR
  • THE SOURCE
  • *****
  • Posts: 89964
  • "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool...
    • View Profile
Re: The ascension of Jesus
« Reply #1 on: May 09, 2016, 11:38:03 AM »



REFLECTION | Jesus ascended to heaven: ‘You are witnesses of these things’
By Rev. Fr. Christian B. Buenafe, O. Carm.
Sunday, May 8, 2016 · 9:23 am
 

In today’s gospel, Jesus inspired the faithful to be witnesses of God’s love by practicing his teachings.


“So it was written: the Messiah had to suffer, and on the third day rise from the dead. Then repentance and forgiveness in his name would be proclaimed to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. And that is why I will send you what my Father promised. So remain in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

Jesus led them almost as far as Bethany; then he lifted up his hands and blesses them. And as he blessed them, he withdraws, and was taken to heaven. They worshiped him, and then returned to Jerusalem full of joy; and they were continually in the temple, praising God.”
—Luke 24:46-53

We are witnesses of God’s love and mercy. We are witnesses of God’s enduring love even if how many times we had disobeyed him. In Jesus’ paschal mystery, we share in his dying so we rise with him and live in him alone. As Jesus ascended to heaven, his teachings should be preached and his deeds be done in his name. Today, we shall celebrate and enjoy the Easter blessings when we heartily follow his words and commands.

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=82262.0
...than to speak out and remove all doubt." - Abraham Lincoln

Book your travel tickets anywhere in the world, go to www.12go.co

hubag bohol

  • AMBASSADOR
  • THE SOURCE
  • *****
  • Posts: 89964
  • "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool...
    • View Profile
Re: The ascension of Jesus
« Reply #2 on: May 09, 2016, 11:38:44 AM »
In our gospel reading, our Lord Jesus knew very well that his last days with his disciples is about to end. That was why he kept on reminding them so they will remember what he has been telling them.  All his teachings should be kept in mind, as all prophesies from the scriptures were made fulfilled and were made refreshed to them. What is written about the messiah has to be accepted and remembered by his disciples.

“You are witnesses of these things” Jesus said to his disciples and as witnesses today, it is your duty to testify and proclaim God’s greatness at all times. The Lord Jesus had blessed his disciples before he ascended and returned to his Father in heaven. Jesus’ disciple had witnessed the glory of God and returned to Jerusalem in joyous mood and continued praising the Lord on their way to the temple.

As Christians, how do we express our witnessing today? If you are a Christian parent, how do you live out the values of the kingdom in building up your family and your relationship with the others in your community and workplace?  Will you be understanding and forgiving if your children or other people hurt you, or had taken advantage of you? Do you give a blessing or a curse to people who offended you or abused you?

As a son or daughter, how is the love of God being manifested when sometimes you don’t understand and accept the opinion and decision of your parents and other people?  Do you love your parent dearly, especially all the mothers are honored today as we celebrate Mothers’ Day? Authentic Christian witnessing is manifested truly from the heart so others may see it and feel it.  Christian witnessing should be felt by those we encounter in our daily lives.  We are about to choose or national and local leaders in the coming national Elections, do we choose the right candidate who give witness to the values of the Kingdom?

In the Church calendar, Ascencion Sunday is also celebrated by the Catholic Church as World Communication Day. As witnesses therefore of the Risen Christ, we should therefore proclaim the truth that the Son of God suffered, died and rose from the dead on the third day. Every Christian witness is Christian communication, and we are called to be Communicators of the Gospel. How then shall we give witness in the field of Social Communication.

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=82262.0
...than to speak out and remove all doubt." - Abraham Lincoln

Book your travel tickets anywhere in the world, go to www.12go.co

unionbank online loan application low interest, credit card, easy and fast approval

hubag bohol

  • AMBASSADOR
  • THE SOURCE
  • *****
  • Posts: 89964
  • "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool...
    • View Profile
Re: The ascension of Jesus
« Reply #3 on: May 09, 2016, 11:44:05 AM »
In this Easter season during the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, let us then take a pause, reflect, pray and ask ourselves:

Am I strengthened and moved by Christ’s paschal mystery that I believe in Him?

How do I proclaim the Risen Christ in my family and community?

As a witness of Christ’s saving acts, do I preach God’s love with joy?

As Communicator of the Gospel, how do I concretize my witnessing in my family, in my workplace and in communities where I belong?

Prayer:
Almighty and Loving God, thank you for blessing us with your grace of love and mercy.  As you ascended to heaven, you have made us stronger in our faith and resolved with the assurance of the Advocate.  You actually have not left us alone, but the Advocate is coming as sent by the Father in your name.  We are filled with joy as you returned to the Father and now sits at his right side.  May the teachings and examples of Jesus your Son be our inspiration and guide as we work for the fulfillment of the mission which Christ had entrusted to his disciples and to us. This we ask through Christ our Lord, who lives and reign with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Intentions: Let us pray for all Social Communicators—the journalists, writers, reporters editors, readers, reviewers, publishers, and all media practitioners and media educators; may the Lord keep them safe and protect them as they perform their task and duty to tell and defend the “Truth.”  May they become committed and responsible in the conduct of their tasks, be it in mainstream or alternative media.

We pray to all the mothers of the world, may the Lord bless them with the grace of good health, joy and the grace of age. Happy Mothers’ Day to all the mothers!

We also pray for the successful and peaceful national elections in the Philippines on May 9, 2016.  May all Filipinos be responsible in the exercise of their rightful duty to suffrage and to vote maturely, responsibly, and honestly.

Linkback: https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=82262.0
...than to speak out and remove all doubt." - Abraham Lincoln

Book your travel tickets anywhere in the world, go to www.12go.co

unionbank online loan application low interest, credit card, easy and fast approval

Tags: