Today we celebrate the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ. The great Arch Bishop Fulton Sheen used to say that the difference between Ascension and Assumption is that Ascension is done by one’s own power in this case God. Assumption is done by God’s own power for someone else, like His Mom, the Virgin Mary. St. Luke writing in the book of Acts gives us a description of the Ascension as our Lord vanishes in a cloud. Angels then tell the people, not to keep looking at the sky,
for Jesus has ascended in His glory. I would like to focus on this part of the reading. In my own life, I have often had my head “in the clouds” so to speak. I always want to do great things for God, yet when it comes to the simple or little things such as prayer or fasting or adoration, I can often fall short. This week’s readings advise us to take our head out of the clouds and go to work sharing the Gospel with others. Our Lord tells us to go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel. This is easier said than done. We often feel inadequate or embarrassed, or too shy to share our Faith. We think we don’t know enough. I like to tell people to think about why they are Catholic? You could be one of a 100 different religions or no religion at all. Why are you Catholic? What do you love about the Mass? Perhaps you have a devotion to our Lady, or you love the liturgy and artwork and tradition. When you come up with some answers, share that with others. Also share your own story about what God has done in your own life. This is true evangelization because it is real and it comes from you. People will be able to relate to this because it is honest. One last point, do not let excuses get in your way. Learn your Faith. We live in the information age. There are many great Catholic web sites, movies, books, c.d.’s, and radio and TV shows that are all Catholic and are solid, not namby pamby. Spend some money on something for your soul. It is time to learn how to defend, promote and share the Catholic Faith with others. So this week, let’s stop day dreaming in the clouds and learn something new about the Faith and dare to be bold by sharing it with someone else…I double dog dare you…Something to think about…May God richly bless you always…