"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."
REFLECTION
Jesus was busy between the Resurrection and the Ascension. For forty days He was with the apostles teaching them about the Kingdom of God.
The fear of death was removed from all its terrors and the immortality not only of the soul but also of the flesh was established. (Sermon of St Leo the Great)
The Lord breathed the Holy Spirit upon the apostles. Jesus taught his disciples, removing all clouds of uncertainty, slowness, timidity and trembling of hearts.
In the time spent with them their hearts were set on fire as Jesus unfolded the Scriptures and prepared them for the world. Their eyes were opened at the breaking of the bread. His instructions were patiently shared in the Spirit of Truth. His commandment of loving one another, willingness to lay down our life for our friend, and to love as He has loved us is our way of life.
He commissioned us to "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."
Today our Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven. We are to seek the things of above, and not the things on earth. Jesus did not leave us, "And behold, I am with you always until the end of the age." (Matthew 28: 20)
He did not abandon us, as He remains with us even after the Ascension. He , however, suffers all the pains that we, His members of His body, have to bear. St Augustine says, "... so we too are already in heaven with Him, even though what is promised us has not yet been fulfilled in our bodies". ( Sermon by St Augustine)*
Yet, the apostles were saddened because they no longer were going to see His smile, hear His laughter, hear His instruction or eat with Him.
Jesus is the Head of the Body and we should be united to Him by love. If we strife to be with Him, we cannot be separated from Him. Even here on earth may our hearts ascend with Him when we celebrate Mass and are nourished in the Sacred Host, when we pray, when we visit with Him in the Blessed Sacrament.
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