Study: Reflect on a moment of profound change in your life. What lessons did you learn?
Pray: Ask the Lord for guidance to proclaim the Good News in your current situation.
Serve: Do you know someone who is experiencing great change right now? How can you help them?
Feast of the Ascension Readings
About this time of year students experience transition. The academic year is coming to a close, classes are wrapping up, papers are written and exams taken. It is a time where one can clearly see change: teachers and classmates conclude their studies and look to new opportunities and experiences in the summer.
For some it might be work; others might attend summer school; still others might experience a move to a new location. Change takes many forms, but through it all some key points emerge:
- New People
- New Locations
- Opportunity to apply learning to life
The Feast of the Ascension is one such moment of profound change in the early Church. Rejoicing with one another over the Resurrection, the apostles were flying high – the Lord is risen! In this moment of enthusiasm and hope, the Lord (truly in the role of Teacher) shares with them a new lesson – it’s time to change and grow.
Now they are the ones who must teach; they are the ones chosen to proclaim the Good News; through their efforts the Holy Spirit will empower them to heal and drive out demons. Simply put, the Ascension of Jesus clears the way for the disciples to apply the Lord’s teaching in their own lives as they continue Christ’s mission in the world.
We are part of that mission. We received our faith from those who came before us, and today we have an opportunity to proclaim the Good News to those in our lives. Here are some thoughts:
- Family – who often see us in unguarded moments
- Friends – sustained and strengthened by our efforts
- Coworkers – witness our character and conviction
- Classmates – supported and encouraged in learning
- Neighbors – perceive our actions and effort
- Strangers – 1st impressions that point to Christ
- Enemies – encounter justice and mercy with forgiveness
The Good News takes many forms, and in our moments of transition we are given new opportunities to act. May the Ascension of our Lord inspire us to look for change in our own lives and seek ways where we can live joyful lives as disciples of Jesus Christ!
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Ascension, Francisco Camilo; 1651, oil on canvas, 81.5 x 53.94 inches, Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, Barcelonia, Spain.
Three Great Things 
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