Prompted by a vision, Paul sets out for Macedonia to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 5th Week of Easter (#290)
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Tag Archives: Transition
The Ascension of the Lord. Catholic Inspiration
The Lord Jesus ascends into heaven, not to distance us from his help, but rather to empower us to grow in grace and stature as we face the challenging transitions of life.
Mass Readings – The Ascension of the Lord
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The Ascension of the Lord. Catholic Inspiration
The Ascension of the Lord empowers us to face the transitions and changes of life with the conviction that God’s grace strengthens us in times of upheaval.
Mass Readings – The Ascension of the Lord
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Daily Mass: The departure from Egypt. Catholic Inspiration
As the people of Israel begin their journey out of Egypt they will experience the awkward sense of being unsettled as they make the transition from slavery to freedom. Transitions are part of our experience, and this passage from Exodus invites us to trust in the Lord as we face the uncertainty of life.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 15th Week of the Year
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Daily Mass: Paul’s farewell. Catholic Inspiration
Paul’s farewell is personal and powerful, reminding us that transitions in our lives provide an intense opportunity to speak from our hearts about our faith in Christ.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 7th Week of Easter
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The Ascension of the Lord
Study: Transitions are a time of uncertainty. Consider a time when you experienced a transition: how did it feel? How did you face it?
Pray: When faced with the unknown we come to the Lord for direction. Pray that the Holy Spirit will send both wisdom (to know what to do), and strength (so you can do it).
Serve: Who in your life is alone right now. How might you walk with another in a time of transition and uncertainty?
Mass Readings – The Ascension of the Lord
There are moments in life when it is difficult to say good-bye. Whether it is a relocation through work, the completion of school, or the death of a loved one, we know that these events challenge us to move on with the transitions in life.
The Feast of the Ascension marks one of these transitions in the Church. This feast demands that we ask the question, “Now what?” as the Lord is taken from our midst. The disciples must now discover the new ways that God is at work in their lives – especially now that Jesus is no longer with them.
But unlike other transitions, where people pass out of our lives and are separated from us by physical distances or death, Jesus leaves his disciples in a different way. By ascending into heaven he does not move out of our lives, but rather he comes into contact with all life. Through his ascension the Holy Spirit comes upon all people, and Jesus touches our lives in a new and mysterious way.
The mystery of the Ascension is closely connected to the Resurrection of Jesus. The early Church recognized that the saving work which God did through Jesus included both of these events. We say in the Creed, “…he rose from the dead…(and) ascended into heaven…” in the same breath – for these two events show that the Lord’s work is unlike anything else ever done before.
Through his Resurrection, death and sin no longer have power over Jesus Christ; his sacrifice on the Cross offers hope for the whole world. Through his Ascension, all people can know Jesus and the Spirit; taken up to heaven, the Lord is now present to all people regardless of time or space.
This feast reminds us that Christ does not abandon his people. The Lord is near, and we enjoy his presence even though we cannot touch him as the disciples did. We know that God walks with us, and we trust that the Lord will give us the strength to carry out the mission of the gospel through the transitions we face in this life.
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This blog was originally published on May 5, 2013.
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Daily Mass: Facing change with the gift of faith. Catholic Inspiration
St. Matthias was chosen by the Apostles to replace Judas Iscariot. This transition offers us an example of how our faith can help us navigate the ever-present effects of change and transition in our lives.
Mass Readings – The Feast of St. Matthias
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The Feast of the Ascension
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?
Mass Readings – Feast of the Ascension of the Lord
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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Note: This post was first published on May 12, 2015.
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The Ascension of the Lord
Study: Transitions are a time of uncertainty. Consider a time when you experienced a transition: how did it feel? How did you face it?
Pray: When faced with the unknown we come to the Lord for direction. Pray that the Holy Spirit will send both wisdom (to know what to do), and strength (so you can do it).
Serve: Who in your life is alone right now. How might you walk with another in a time of transition and uncertainty?
Mass Readings – The Ascension of the Lord
There are moments in life when it is difficult to say good-bye. Whether it is a relocation through work, the completion of school, or the death of a loved one, we know that these events challenge us to move on with the transitions in life.
The Feast of the Ascension marks one of these transitions in the Church. This feast demands that we ask the question, “Now what?” as the Lord is taken from our midst. The disciples must now discover the new ways that God is at work in their lives – especially now that Jesus is no longer with them.
But unlike other transitions, where people pass out of our lives and are separated from us by physical distances or death, Jesus leaves his disciples in a different way. By ascending into heaven he does not move out of our lives, but rather he comes into contact with all life. Through his ascension the Holy Spirit comes upon all people, and Jesus touches our lives in a new and mysterious way.
The mystery of the Ascension is closely connected to the Resurrection of Jesus. The early Church recognized that the saving work which God did through Jesus included both of these events. We say in the Creed, “…he rose from the dead…(and) ascended into heaven…” in the same breath – for these two events show that the Lord’s work is unlike anything else ever done before.
Through his Resurrection, death and sin no longer have power over Jesus Christ; his sacrifice on the Cross offers hope for the whole world. Through his Ascension, all people can know Jesus and the Spirit; taken up to heaven, the Lord is now present to all people regardless of time or space.
This feast reminds us that Christ does not abandon his people. The Lord is near, and we enjoy his presence even though we cannot touch him as the disciples did. We know that God walks with us, and we trust that the Lord will give us the strength to carry out the mission of the gospel through the transitions we face in this life.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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This blog was originally published on May 5, 2013.
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Daily Mass: Saying Goodbye
Fr. Andrew’s Daily Mass Homily Podcast – Tuesday of the 7th Week of Easter
The heartfelt tone in the words of farewell spoken by Paul and Jesus speak to a common human experience: saying goodbye. Change is often difficult, and one of our toughest moments comes when we know that people are passing through our lives. While the pain is real, our faith reminds us that our final home is heaven…where our reunion in God’s presence will have no end.
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Catholic Inspiration – Podcast Archives of Homilies & Talks- Daily Mass: Let the Lord enter!
- Daily Mass: We receive the Good News in our hearts
- Daily Mass: We strive for God's justice and peace
- Daily Mass: The family tree of Jesus as told by Matthew
- Daily Mass: Christ invites us to do the Father's will
- Daily Mass: Teach me your ways, O Lord
- Study, Pray, Serve: 4th Sunday of Advent
- 3rd Sunday of Advent: Christ fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah
- Daily Mass: Lord make us turn to you
- Our Lady of Guadalupe inspires us to magnify the Lord
Three Great Things 