We are a hope-filled people.

From Safari….

Some of you will recall that the feast of the Ascension came 40 days after Easter. Usually after the proclamation of the Gospel, the Paschal Candle was extinguished. This set the stage for the feast of Pentecost.

The Gospel writers and the writer of the Acts of the Apostles (Many scholars consider the Acts of the Apostles to part II of the Gospel of Luke. The Gospel reflects on the life of Jesus, the Acts of the Apostles shows the Holy Spirit working in the lives of the disciples.) have different time frames when it comes to the Ascension of the Lord and Pentecost. Today, we celebrate the Pascal throughout the Fifty days of Easter. We believe Jesus rose from the dead. He appeared to the disciples following his resurrection. He ascended to heaven. He asked the Father to send another Advocate, the Spirit of truth, the Holy Spirit to come upon the disciples.

Now for the importance of the Ascension in our daily lives. The story goes that Jesus returned to heaven following His death on the cross and resurrection from the tomb and the angels gathered around Him in amazement. Finally, Gabriel spoke up, “Master, you suffered terribly down there. Do they know and appreciate the extent of your sacrifice?” “No,” said Jesus, “not yet. Right now, only a handful of people in Palestine know.”

“Then what have you done to let everyone else know?” asked Gabriel. “I’ve asked Peter and James and John and a few others to spread the news. They will tell others who will tell others who will tell others until the message spreads to the ends of the earth.” But Gabriel, knowing the nature of human beings asked, “What is Plan B?” “I have no Plan B,” Jesus replied, “There is no alternate strategy. I’m counting on them.”

So many centuries later, Jesus is still counting on each of us. As we hear in today’s Gospel, Then Jesus approached and said to them, ‘All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” We know the core teaching, Love God withall our being, love neighbor, and love ourselves.

In this Easter season, we are challenged to have a hope-filled passion for justice, a hope-filled passion for gratitude, a hope-filled passion for forgiveness, a hope-filled passion for doing our part to ensure that the poor and marginalized can also experience a passion for what is possible.

How are you continuing the work of Jesus in your circles of influence?