Copley: The Ascension of the Lord
"Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel . . ."
In
a recent conversation with a brother priest we both admitted that one of the
hardest things about our life is leaving an assignment that you have really
enjoyed. We find ourselves sent to not
just one parish for a lifetime but to many. Then, there may well be other tasks
you are asked to do in addition to your parish assignment. Although there is a term of office for a
pastor, the greater needs of the Diocese may interrupt what you thought would
be a determined number of years. Things
are going well. You’ve made some great
friends. Certain projects have begun.
Then, in the midst of this environment, the greater needs of the Diocese
come forth and you’re asked to move on. I know because I’ve been there
myself. Although we do have some say in
our assignments, there is no absolute guarantee that life will go the way you
hope. Like St. Paul himself, we must learn to say both “hello” and “goodbye.” Yet,
the goodbyes are not final. You can and
do often stay in touch with past parishioners but life goes on.
The
above experience is, I think, not unlike what the Apostles must have felt
themselves as our Lord returned to heaven in his Ascension. This Sunday’s beautiful Feast is a turning
point in the story of salvation. I don’t
doubt the Apostles were incredibly energized and filled with new hope as they
became witnesses to the risen Lord. In the first reading (Acts 1:1-11) this
Sunday they ask: “"Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom
to Israel? . . .”
Rather
than just say outright, “Don’t you guys get it yet?” Jesus sends them out on
mission in the Gospel (Mk 16: 15-20): “Go into the whole world and proclaim the
Gospel everywhere . . .” And so begins the mission not just of the Apostles but
of everyone who would come to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. The mission of the Church is our mission as
well. Saying “goodbye” to Jesus at this
moment was only the beginning of something greater – the age of the Holy Spirit. A new “hello” of Christ in which we now live.
As
we prepare for this Sunday and the Feast of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost next
week, we might wonder about our mission and how we have lived that out. People come to the Church for a variety of
reasons: They feel welcome. My spouse is
Catholic. I have studied the history and
theology of the Church so I have an intellectual reason. I have attended Mass
for a number of years as a non-Catholic and now I feel I need to go
farther. I have felt an attraction to
the Church for a number of years and I am here to explore that.
What
are your reasons for remaining in the Church?
What holds you here?
More
will come of course . . .
1 comment:
I've stayed with the Catholic faith after studying other faiths because it was the only faith that made sense to me.
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