We are His Body - Homily for the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord

Today we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord.

Imagine yourself one of those disciples 2000 years ago. You believed Jesus was who he said he was. You saw him, feed multitude, cure the sick, calm the storm, and raise the dead. You saw him crucified, died, buried and as he promised risen. You were there to see the next wonder of Jesus’ ministry.

And Jesus gave you these instructions, “Go out and proclaim the gospel to the whole world!”  Then He began to rise up. He was lifted up and a cloud takes him from our sight.

What are we feeling? It might be wonder or fear or awe. Maybe it would be a loss for words, dumbfound or helpless, or confused. Imagine you are a disciple there with all who believed and saw Jesus ascend into heaven.

Praise be Jesus Christ – for ever and ever.

Now, come back to today and think about all the emotions in the disciples when two strangers dressed in white, asked. “Why are you just standing there looking at the sky?” Jesus is gone and not coming back until he comes in glory.

I think these men in white, angels, or God’s messengers were saying – Go do what Jesus told you to do! “Go out and proclaim the gospel to the whole world!” 

Jesus told the disciples to share the gospel in words and actions.

The disciple probably feared they would never be able to continue the ministry of Jesus. They were now alone, Jesus was no longer physically present with them.  But, He was still spiritually with them. He left his ministry, his miracles, his love with them. He sent them the Holy Spirit.

He is still spiritually with us. And, He left His ministry to us. He gives us his miracles, his love, and the Holy Spirit so that we too can proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ..  

St. Theresa of Avila describes our ministry this way:

Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours,

Yours are the eyes with which he looks with compassion on this world.

St. Paul wrote to share the gospel in humility, gentleness and patience.

Jesus told us of gifts we would have, the words and actions needed to bring the gospel to the world. Not many of us will speak in tongues or fight with demons. We would all love to be able to heal the sick but not many are going to want to pick up snakes.

But we can share the gospel by our actions in how we live our life and love one another. More often than not, our actions speak so much more than our words. Our actions as disciples and follower of Jesus Christ may be the only gospel many will ever read.

Even though none of us were there 2000 years ago, He left his ministry to us.

We are to live the gospel not because we think it’s a good idea. Live the gospel because it is what you believe. Live the gospel because knowing Jesus is the best thing in your life. Live the gospel because knowing Jesus makes your life better and your family’s life better. Live the gospel because the good news of Jesus Christ in a person’s life makes the world better.

Live the gospel because you want the person your words and actions touch to know a better life by knowing Jesus Christ. Live the gospel so others will come to know Jesus Christ by the Christ in you.

Jesus has no physical body now but yours. He has not hands and no feet here on this earth to touch other to bring the good news, but yours. You are the eyes of compassion that Christ uses to look on this world.

Jesus is no longer physically present. He asks us to continue his ministry. 

So here before, I stand dressed in white and ask you this. “Christians, why are you standing there looking at the sky?”

Go out into the world and share the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ by the way you live your life and love one another. 

Praise be Jesus Christ – forever and ever. Amen.

Part of the Vine - Reflection 5th Sunday of Easter - Year B

Praise be Jesus Christ, who said I am the vine, you are the branches.

In these few words, Jesus gives Christians mission, purpose, and most of all a true direction. The mission to be one with Christ. The purpose to bear fruit for Christ. And the direction is always to Christ.

God planted the vine, cares for it, and makes it fruitful. We are nourished and prepared by the sacraments so that we may be fruitful branches of Christ.

When Christians speak the truth, we are treated just like the newly converted Paul. No one wants to hear us. Some even want to be rid of us.

More and more persons in this world are turning away from the Christian Faith.

This week, I debated with a young woman. She identifies herself as a Christian, but says she doesn’t think she needs organized religion. They have too many rules. She said many of her friends do not identify as Christians because there are too many rules that they do not agree with.

Even though she did not realize it, the basis of her arguments was - People don't want to hear the truth. They want to be rid of us.

She identifies as a Christian yet argues there is nothing wrong with living together. Birth control is not wrong. And, abortion is justified in certain circumstances.

She argues beautifully. But, argues without Christian merit and truth. She is trying to bear fruit but it does not come from the vine that is Christ.

The greatest argument for those who say there are too many rules is Christ Jesus. 

Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned.

The greatest win in any argument is to follow the advice in John letter. “Love not in word or speech but in deed and truth.”

This world gives so many untruths, especially to the young. It is truly a blessing when a young person wants to discuss faith, even if it is to say there are too many rules.

Tell them about the one who said I am the vine and you are the branches.Tell them that find nourisihes us with love.

For some, the truth is just too many rules. But, love is the best truth. Love bears much fruit. It is time to be fruitful. It is time to remain in Jesus. God will prune away the dead branches.

Be good, be holy and preach the Gospel by the way you live you life and love one another. Praise be Jesus Christ, forever and ever. Amen.