Dear friends,
The solemnity of the Ascension always makes us reflect on the challenge of hopelessness in time of
despair, when our expectations are neither reached nor fulfilled. Twice, the apostles face this reality,
and twice they fail to listen to what Jesus tells them. In preparation for the His Passion, Jesus tells his
disciples that he will be handed over to those who will kill him, but after three days he will rise from the
dead. But, full of discouragement and hopeless, they returned to their places after the burial and their
hope dissipated. Even on their journey to Emmaus, they could not get ride of their hopelessness and
discouragement, while He was walking alongside them.
Today, likewise, the disciples are standing there in disbelief as they look intently to the sky while the
Lord ascends. They all forgot once again that the Lord promised not to leave them as orphans. Still, they
are asking when he is going to establish the kingdom. Did not he already tell them and all of us that the
kingdom is at hands?
Like the disciples, we dwell in hopelessness and despair in times of challenges and crisis. At a loss of a
loved one, as we battle with health issues, misunderstanding or/and mistrust from loved ones, concerns
for relatives who struggle with addiction, those alienated from the faith, grandchildren we worry would
not have the opportunity to be baptized, and so on. While all these are real and true concerns, the
celebration of the ascension brings us to the realization that there should be no place for hopelessness
and despair in the heart of a disciple. For we know that the Lord has promised to remain with us and to
send us the Advocate, the Spirit of Hope and Trust. With trust and hope in the Lord, all griefs will be
transformed to sources of joy and comfort.
Today, as you meditate on the solemnity of the ascension, you may call to mind the parting of your
loved one, not being seen through human eyes anymore; and the pain it leaves in your hearts and life.
You may think about a challenging situation you are in, where everything seems to be with no outcome.
Yet, while all can appears so, think about what the Lord says todays: “You will grieve, but your grief will
become joy.” This is because we live by faith and not by sight. Christ is our consolation and he will
always make a way for us to know and to experience the truth that, like with him, who said “a little
while and you will no longer see, and again a little while later and you will see me,” will make everything
to work the to allow celebrate eternal joy.
May the Lord of all consolation surround everyone and all of us as we turn to the Lord who, although
unseen through human eyes, is always at our side on this journey of life. And let us continue to pray for
one another and for our parish family.
Fr. Emery