Notebook
A conversation between a grandfather and his grandson went like this: “Grandad, what happens when you die?” Grandad explained as best he could. Still puzzled, the boy asked, “Does that mean you won’t be here anymore?” Grandad nodded: “Yes, that is true”. “Does that mean you won’t be able to play hurling with me anymore?”, “Yes it does”. “Does it mean you won’t be able to fly a kite with me anymore?”, “Yes, son it does”. “Does that mean you won’t be able to take me fishing anymore?”, “Yes it does”. “Well grandad, when that time comes, who is going to do these things with me, if you’re not here?”
The wise grandfather explained, “When that time comes, it will be time for you to do those things for another little boy.”
Ascension
Last weekend’s feast of The Ascension is the official statement that says, “The time has come”. Yes, it was the time for Jesus to go to the Father. In the words of a WhatsApp message I got last weekend: “Tomorrow is the feast of the Ascension. To those who wonder what it is about; it’s the day when Jesus started to work from home.”
Well if it was the time for Jesus to physically leave his disciples it was also the time for his disciples to be Jesus’ voice, his hands, his feet, his presence, his Church.
It took time for them to absorb the meaning of it all, to wrestle with doubt about whether they were up to the task. Could they let go of everything they thought was necessary to walk into a different future? Could they really be ‘another Christ’? With such worrying thoughts and fears they just stood there numb as Jesus disappeared until they were brought back to earth with the angel’s sharp words; “Boys, why are you looking up to heaven? It’s time now to get on with it.”
So, unsure and hesitant, they trekked off to the upper room, to quarantine and cocoon, awaiting the Spirit who would be their guide and comfort. The power of that Holy Spirit was a power they were going to sorely need, because they, and those followers that would come after them would be subject to misunderstandings, betrayals and failures that would shake them to their core. And yet as 2000 years of history has shown, by the help of that same Spirit, they would repent, renew and recover each time to reaffirm their mandate and get on with being Church.
Transition
The Feast of Ascension celebrates the transition from Jesus to the Apostles, to us. The scriptures last weekend helped to drive home the message: “You will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth”, “Go therefore make disciples of all nations”.
St Teresa of Avila, way back in the 16th Century put it beautifully in her famous prayer:
“Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which he looks compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which he blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are his body. Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”
Christ has no body but ours, no hands, no feet, no eyes but ours. Jesus has gone to the Father and is working from home. Ascension says, Let the service begin!
Prayer for vocations
Lord Jesus we believe that you continue to scatter the seeds of vocation in the hearts of young people today. Help us to nourish those seeds with encouragement and support so that they will take root, grow, and bear fruit. Give to all who are called the courage they need to take a first step on a journey of discovery which will lead them to that place where they will encounter you Lord and discern the road you invite them to follow. Lord fill young hearts with a spirit of loving service care and respect for themselves and others. Provide your Church with humble shepherds who will work with their sisters and brothers in a spirit of co-responsibility for your Church. Amen.
God be with the days…
The local butcher sent his apprentice to deliver meat to the bishop’s house every Friday evening. The young lad dreaded meeting the bishop. One evening he pressed the doorbell and assumed the housekeeper would answer as usual. Unfortunately, the bishop was coming out the door and the young apprentice was so nervous that he almost threw the meat at the bishop and said; “there’s the meat” and took to his heels. “Wait” said the bishop, “That is not the way you address a bishop. I will show you. You go inside and act as me and I will take the meat and act as you.” So he rang the doorbell and the young lad opened from inside. Then the bishop, acting the boy, said “Good evening your Lordship, I have meat for you that has been sent up from the butcher’s shop. I hope you have a very enjoyable weekend.”
“God bless you, young man,” said the young lad, and taking a pound note from his pocket, gave it to the bishop and said, “here is a pound for yourself”.