The Ascension: Through the Eyes of the Father

Rembrandt-The Ascension (1636)

(Solemnity of the Ascension-Year A; This homily was given on May 24, 2020 in Rome, Italy; The original text in Italian is included; See Matthew 28:16-20)

We celebrate once again the Solemnity of the Ascension.  Jesus is returning to the Father and we can imagine well the emotions and concerns of those first disciples.  

The Gospel this weekend begins, “The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which he had ordered them” (Matthew 28:16).  Galilee is the place where Christ had called His first disciples.  It was there that they had seen Him perform miracles.  They listened to Him teaching about the Kingdom of God in that place.  Now He was going to leave them  . . . in Galilee.  Mysteriously, He had even indicated in the Gospel of St. John, “It is better for you that I go” (John 16:7).  How is the Ascension better for us than if Jesus had remained?

In his book, “Jesus of Nazareth-Part Two: Holy Week,” Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI explains why the Ascension of Jesus is actually an expression of His closeness to them, and not His absence.  

He refers to the beautiful story of the disciples in the storm on the Sea of Galilee (see Matthew 14:22-33; Mark 6:45-52, and John 6:15-21).  

Jesus had just performed the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves, feeding 5,000 people.  He sends the disciples before Him in the boat, while He goes up on the mountain to be alone in prayer with the Father.  Suddenly the disciples encounter a storm; they are threatened and afraid.  It seems that Jesus is far away and unable to help them.  

“But because he is with the Father,” Benedict explains, “he sees them.”  He is not separated from them.  Because Jesus is with the Father on that mountain, He is even more available to these disciples.  

Continuing his reflection, he says:

This is an image for the time of the Church—intended also for us.  The Lord is “on the mountain” of the Father.  Therefore he sees us.  Therefore he can get into the boat of our life at any moment.  Therefore we can always call on him; we can always be certain that he sees and hears us.  

In our own day, too, the boat of the Church travels against the headwind of history through the turbulent ocean of time.  Often it looks as if it is bound to sink.  But the Lord is there, and he comes at the right moment.  “I go away, and I will come to you”—that is the essence of Christian trust, the reason for our joy.

We can see this mystery at work all throughout the history of the Church.  It is never our strength, our wisdom or our power that saves us.  It is always God.  The Ascension of Jesus that day in Galilee was the greatest thing that could have happened for those disciples.  It is also a wonderful gift of God for us.

As we face so many challenges in the world, and in the Church, do we believe this?  Do we believe that Christ is right now with the Father, and that He sees us through the eyes of the Father?  Do we have faith that we are cared for at every moment of our lives?

Pope Francis, in his Urbi et Orbi Message and Extraordinary Moment of Prayer this past March, reflected on this same passage of the disciples in the storm at sea.  He invited the Church, in this moment of trial that the world is facing amidst the pandemic of COVID-19, to place our faith and trust in God.  Taking the words of our Lord from St. Mark’s Gospel, “Why are you afraid?  Have you no faith?”, He said:

Faith begins when we realize we are in need of salvation.  We are not self-sufficient; by ourselves we founder: we need the Lord, like ancient navigators needed the stars.  Let us invite Jesus into the boats of our lives.  Let us hand over our fears to him so that he can conquer them.  Like the disciples, we will experience that with him on board there will be no shipwreck.  Because this is God’s strength: turning to the good everything that happens to us, even the bad things.  He brings serenity into our storms, because with God life never dies.

As we celebrate the Ascension, we thank God for His providence, His abundant care in our lives.  We know that Jesus sees us with the eyes of the Father, and that He is ready to come to us at any moment.  He comes to us now, in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar.  May we never cease to welcome Him, to love Him and entrust our very lives to Him.

Testo Originale

Celebriamo ancora una volta la Solennità dell'Ascensione.  Gesù sta tornando al Padre e possiamo ben immaginare le emozioni e le preoccupazioni di quei primi discepoli.  

Il Vangelo inizia questo fine settimana: "Gli undici discepoli andarono in Galilea, sul monte che Gesù aveva loro indicato" (Matteo 28:16).  La Galilea è il luogo dove Cristo aveva chiamato i suoi primi discepoli.  È lì che lo avevano visto compiere miracoli.  Lo ascoltavano mentre insegnavano il Regno di Dio in quel luogo.  Ma ora, Egli stava per lasciarli . . . in Galilea.  Misteriosamente, aveva indicato nel Vangelo di San Giovanni: "È bene per voi che io me ne vada" (Giovanni 16,7).  In che modo l'Ascensione è migliore che se Gesù fosse rimasto? 

Nel suo libro "Gesù di Nazaret -Seconda parte: Settimana Santa", Papa Benedetto XVI spiega perché l'Ascensione di Gesù è in realtà un'espressione della sua vicinanza a loro, e non il suo allontanamento.  

Benedetto si riferisce alla bella storia dei discepoli nella tempesta sul mare di Galilea.  

Gesù aveva appena compiuto il miracolo della moltiplicazione dei pani, nutrendo 5.000 persone.  Egli manda i discepoli davanti a Lui nella barca, mentre sale sulla montagna per essere solo in preghiera con il Padre.  Improvvisamente i discepoli incontrano una tempesta; sono minacciati e impauriti.  Sembra che Gesù sia lontano e non sia in grado di aiutarli.  

"Ma perché è con il Padre - spiega Benedetto - li vede".  Li vede!  Non è separato da loro.  Poiché Gesù è con il Padre su quel monte, Lui è ancora più disponibile a questi discepoli.  

Continuando la sua riflessione, dice:

Questa è un'immagine per il tempo della Chiesa, voluta anche per noi.  Il Signore è "sul monte" del Padre.  Per questo ci vede.  Perciò può entrare nella barca della nostra vita in qualsiasi momento.  Perciò noi possiamo sempre invocarlo, possiamo sempre essere certi che ci vede e ci ascolta.  

Anche ai nostri giorni, la barca della Chiesa viaggia controvento della storia attraverso l'oceano turbolento del tempo.  Spesso sembra destinata ad affondare.  Ma il Signore è lì, e viene al momento giusto.  "Vado via, e verrò da voi" - questa è l'essenza della fiducia cristiana, la ragione della nostra gioia.

Possiamo vedere questo mistero in tutta la storia della Chiesa.  Non è mai la nostra forza, la nostra saggezza o la nostra potenza che ci salva.  È sempre Dio.  L'Ascensione di Gesù quel giorno in Galilea è stata la cosa più grande che potesse accadere a quei discepoli.  È anche un meraviglioso dono di Dio per noi.

Mentre affrontiamo così tante sfide nel mondo e nella Chiesa, crediamo a questo?  Crediamo che Cristo sia in questo momento con il Padre e che ci vede attraverso gli occhi del Padre?  Abbiamo fede nel fatto che siamo assistiti in ogni momento della nostra vita?

Papa Francesco, nel suo Messaggio Urbi et Orbi e Momento Straordinario di Preghiera dello scorso marzo, ha spiegato su questo stesso passaggio dei discepoli nella tempesta in mare.  Ha invitato la Chiesa, in questo momento di prova che il mondo sta affrontando in mezzo alla pandemia di COVID-19, a porre la nostra fede e la nostra fiducia in Dio.  

Prendendo le parole di Gesù nel Vangelo di San Marco, "Perché avete paura?  Non avete ancora fede?", Il Santo Padre disse:

L’inizio della fede è saperci bisognosi di salvezza. Non siamo autosufficienti, da soli; da soli affondiamo: abbiamo bisogno del Signore come gli antichi naviganti delle stelle. Invitiamo Gesù nelle barche delle nostre vite. Consegniamogli le nostre paure, perché Lui le vinca. Come i discepoli sperimenteremo che, con Lui a bordo, non si fa naufragio. Perché questa è la forza di Dio: volgere al bene tutto quello che ci capita, anche le cose brutte. Egli porta il sereno nelle nostre tempeste, perché con Dio la vita non muore mai.

Mentre celebriamo l'Ascensione, ringraziamo Dio per la sua provvidenza, per la sua abbondante cura nella nostra vita.  Sappiamo che Gesù ci vede con gli occhi del Padre e che è pronto a venire da noi in ogni momento.  Egli viene a noi ora, nel Santissimo Sacramento dell'altare.  Che non smettiamo mai di accoglierlo, di amarlo e di affidare a Lui la nostra stessa vita.

Building with Faith & the Holy Spirit

St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City State

(Fifth Sunday of Easter-Year A; This homily was given on May 10, 2020 at a private Mass in Rome, Italy, in accord with the regulations of the Republic of Italy and the Vicariate of Rome; See Acts 6:1-7, 1 Peter 2:4-9 and John 14:1-12)

Several months ago, before the lockdown began, I was in Orvieto with one of my seminary classmates.  We were standing in the square and commenting on the majestic beauty of the Duomo.  It really is a remarkable church.  The facade alone, before one even enters the interior to see the storied frescoes of Luca Signorelli, is absolutely breathtaking.  We talked about how many people must have participated in the building of that great gothic and romanesque cathedral.  Begun in 1290, its construction continued for over 300 years, with the finishing touches being set in place by the early 17th century.

All of the major churches and basilicas have similar stories.  Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris France, as well as St. Peter’s Basilica here in the City of Rome, were all massive projects that extended over centuries and involved thousands of different persons.  These great monuments express the solidity and the beauty of our Catholic faith.  There are strong, masculine elements in these churches, as well as fine, elegant and feminine dimensions.  They communicate the Catholic imagination and creativity in a singular way.

If you have ever seen the movie, Inception, it tries to capture that same sense of construction by means of the imagination and inspired creativity.  The main protagonists in that story enter into the area of the subconscious, and are able to construct entire worlds similar to our own but without limitations.  They can construct cities that defy the laws of physics, opening up entirely new dimensions.

In the readings this weekend we are presented with a building that is even greater than all of the churches and cathedrals here on earth.  It is more magnificent and even more imaginative than anything you would find in the movie, Inception.  It is a building constructed by God Himself, set firmly in the heavens.  Jesus refers to it as “My Father’s house” (John 14:2).  It is an impressive and amazing edifice, because it is made not with wood, stone and glass, but with you and I!  God is building His dwelling place in the heavens, and we ourselves are the material He is using to do it.

St. Peter, in the Second Reading this weekend, writes with great affection: “Beloved, Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God, and, like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:4-5).

The Church that Christ founded is the temple of the Lord, the very “dwelling place of God in the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:21-22).  But in the First Reading this morning we can see that there are already potential fissures in the foundation, divisions that are threatening to weaken that spiritual house.  There were two communities gathering together to listen to the message of salvation, the Hebrews and the Hellenists (Greek speaking believers in Christ).  While the Church was growing considerably in that time, “the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution” (Acts 6:1).  There are few things that can irritate and anger a group of men more than neglecting the women that they love; there are few things in the Sacred Scriptures that irritate God more than the mistreatment of widows.  The Apostles, therefore, moved quickly to firm up the foundation.

Their solution was to select out holy men to serve the needs that were going unmet; they prayed over these men and laid hands on them.  This is the foundation for the diaconal ministry, and the first one on the list was St. Stephen.  We are told that Stephen was, “a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit” (Acts 6:5).  I would suggest that St. Stephen is a Master Builder in that regard.  He possessed two qualities that have enabled countless saints and holy men and women to build up the house of God: faith and the Holy Spirit.

Beginning with faith, we can see already in the writing of St. Peter this morning how essential that virtue is for the house of God.  St. Peter says that Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of God’s great edifice.  Without Him there would be no building at all.  About this cornerstone, St. Peter writes that “its value is for you that have faith, but for those without faith,” Christ is “a stone that will make people stumble, and a rock that will make them fall” (1 Peter 2:7-8).  We need faith to cooperate with God in the construction of His holy temple.

The Gospel for this weekend is entirely occupied with the virtue of faith in the lives of the Apostles.  Christ is speaking to them at the Last Supper, and immediately before He reveals to them that there are many dwelling places in His Father’s house, He says, “You have faith in God; have faith also in me” (John 14:1).  He goes on to encourage them to believe that He is in the Father, and to believe in the works that the Father has given Him.  Then He says something quite astounding: “Whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12).  

Greater works than Christ?  Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.  He opened the eyes of the blind, and healed the sick with the touch of His hand.  How are you and I possibly going to do greater works than these?  

But for those who believe in Christ and cooperate with His grace, we have the power to encounter and engage people in a way that can transform their lives for all eternity.  There are so many souls separated from God and the Church.  How many people do we encounter every week that have left the practice of their faith or are not living in the saving grace of baptism?  Through faith and the power of God, we become instruments helping them to believe in God’s mercy.  We can bring souls to the Church in baptism, help them to meet the forgiveness of Christ in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, walk with them as they grow in intimacy with God in the Sacrament of the Eucharist.  There is no miracle greater or more powerful than a soul transformed by God’s grace.  They become living stones, along with us, in the Father’s house.  

How many times have we seen this happen firsthand?  We can all look to those grace-filled moments when we were present to listen to a broken person, to encourage and strengthen someone who was looking for direction or a little spiritual consolation.  We can do little to help and heal such persons of ourselves, but for those who believe, for those who have faith in Jesus, miracles happen.

Which brings me back to the Master Builder, St. Stephen.  He was a man “filled with faith and the Holy Spirit.”  The Church teaches us that faith is both a gift and a response.  It is something that comes to us from God, but we must also respond to faith with love, willing to bear witness to our faith by lives of charity.  We live by faith, but we also profess it, share it, and have the courage even to suffer for it when necessary (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1815-1816).  

The Second Vatican Council’s Dei Verbum indicates that the Holy Spirit is fully active in both the gift of faith and our response.  It is the grace of God that inspires the human person so that he or she can receive the gift of faith, along with the “interior helps of the Holy Spirit, who moves the heart and converts it to God, who opens the eyes of the mind” and “the same Holy Spirit constantly perfects faith by his gifts.” (Dei Verbum, #5).  We receive the gift of faith freely from God, and then through the gifts of wisdom and understanding, counsel and fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord, we grow in our Christian life in a way that engages and encounters those around us.  

How is God challenging us this week to receive the theological virtue of faith and to allow the gifts of the Holy Spirit to manifest themselves in works of charity and evangelization?  As St. Peter exhorts us this weekend, “let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”   May we also be Master Builders, like St. Stephen, filled with faith and the Holy Spirit, ready to cooperate in the greatest construction project that the world has ever seen.