The Ascension of the Lord

Readings of the Day 

“Behold, I am with you always…” Jesus promises at the end of today’s Gospel.  It’s a promise I’ve clung to throughout this pandemic, but it’s also easy for me to identify with the apostles who did as “ordered” and “worshiped” in the midst of doubts.

“How is it that we can find safe ways to distribute groceries and toiletries, but not the Eucharist?” I wrote to our bishop after 43 days without public Masses in our diocese.  Jesus does “fill all things in every way,” but a deep sadness has come over me since public Masses were suspended. Yet when a dear friend arranged for me to receive the Eucharist at her parish in a neighboring county, I donned my new Easter dress and received the Body of Our Lord with great joy and thanksgiving.  Immediately I experienced a return of energy and peace that for 60 years I have taken for granted as my “normal.”

I am old enough to know the difference between joy and happiness. Joy is born of pain and suffering.  One of my other reflections during the pandemic has been how painful it must have been for Jesus to leave the Father for 33+ years, and how heart-wrenching it must have been for the Father to let go of His Son. Yet the Holy Spirit sustained that relationship through all the trials, accusations, torture, death and resurrection. Today’s responsorial psalm proclaims well what the Ascension must have been for the Holy Trinity: “God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.”

Jesus sends the same Advocate/Comforter to sustain our relationship with God. So, as we learn to work in new ways or to cope with illness, unemployment and financial insecurity, as we struggle to sustain our agencies, causes and clients, I repeat St. Paul’s blessing:

“May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,

give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of Him.

May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened,

 that you may know what is the hope that belongs to His call,

what are the riches of glory in His inheritance among the holy ones,

and what is the surpassing greatness of His power for us who believe.”

Finally, may you prepare yourself for Holy Eucharist as soon as God makes Himself available to you in His time and in your place.  Don’t be surprised if you feel like shouting with joy or blaring a trumpet.  Your heart and soul is also His throne!

Gwen Hall is a licensed clinical social worker who has been employed for 30 years as the lone counselor/staff person for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Lexington’s Prestonsburg Office. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced Gwen to research and train in telemental health and now allows her to offer online counseling services to all 50 counties of her mostly rural, mission diocese through a HIPAA-compliant and secure platform.

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