The end of a perfect earthly life.

THE END OF A PERFECT EARTHLY LIFE

Lk. 24:46-53

The beginning and end of Jesus’ life on Earth was full of incidents.  Apart from those three days when He was separated from His mother and foster father how we would love to know how He spent those quiet years of His life.  As far as we know the years were uneventful.  Today we concentrate on His Ascension into Heaven.

The final three years had been extremely busy.  In that period I would love to know how many miles He travelled on foot.  I am sure walking those long distances with His Apostles was not a waste of time but used profitably.  He was able to have His Apostles all to Himself and He was able to teach them all they needed to know.  There was so much they had to learn from Him.

Now He was returning to His Father and they were to take over His work.  The success of His Mission depended on how well He had taught them although, of course, all that He had taught them would be confirmed and consolidated by the Holy Spirit, soon to be sent to His fledgling Church.

On the day of the Ascension Jesus, His mother Mary and His followers walked from the centre of Jerusalem to the hill from which He would ascend into Heaven.  The majority of those disciples adored Him as their God, but there were still some who hesitated about giving Him full credence.  When they reached the top of the hill Jesus had just a few moments left with them.  He thought of His loving Mother who would miss His physical presence tremendously.  He looked at the 11 Apostles, who would also miss Him.  He had to leave them for His work was done.

Now it was for them to continue His very work, to baptise, to teach and lead people to Heaven.  He began by telling them, “All authority in Heaven and on Earth has been given to Me.  Go, therefore, make disciples of all the nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you.  And know that I am with you always; yes, to the end of time.”  He added, “Stay in the city then, until you are clothed with the power of the Holy Spirit.”

When He had finished talking to them He slowly ascended into the sky.  They watched Him intently.  They had seen Him do many marvellous things, but never this.  Then a fleecy white cloud appeared and hid Him from their sight.  How did they feel?  I am sure there was a tear in Mary’s eyes.  When would she be reunited with Her Son in Heaven?  The Apostles felt that they would be at a loss now that their Master had gone.  Those last 40 days had been so strange.

Jesus was with them for a moment and then He would be gone.  He would come back unannounced, and again He would disappear.  Those days I suppose prepared them for the final time that He would leave them.  How we would love to talk to Mary and each Apostle to ask them how they really felt.  They would have loved, of course, to have Jesus remain with them.  But Jesus’ work was done and it was only right that He should receive the reward of a life well spent, returning to His Father in Heaven to be at His Father’s right hand.  There He continues to be active, pleading our cause, for our sins to be forgiven and waiting for us to join Him.  He was still working for our world.

Now Mary, the Apostles and the rest of His disciples had to return to Jerusalem to await the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of love, who would recall to their minds everything that Jesus had taught them.  The Holy Spirit now would be their constant Companion - guiding, strengthening and loving them.  Although they were unable to see Him, He would inspire them as Jesus had inspired them.

Those nine days before Pentecost were very important days.  They were to look forward to His coming.  The more eagerly they desired His presence the more impact He would have on their lives.  During that time Peter showed himself their leader, the position Jesus had given Him.  He recalled the scriptures and told them that someone was to take the place of Judas.  The first election in the Church was held and Matthias became the twelfth Apostle.

During those nine days, they prayed and prayed and prayed.  They longed for this Holy Spirit that Jesus had spoken about to come and transform their lives.  Their whole attitude could be summed up in words they did not speak but which are so familiar to us, “Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Your love.”

At this moment in the Church's year we are like them.  We have witnessed the Ascension of Jesus into Heaven and now we are awaiting the coming of the Holy Spirit in a fresh way.  The Father and His Son Jesus will surely send Him to us.  Like the Apostles, if He is to have an impact on our lives, we have to await His coming eagerly.  We have to say over and over again, “Come, Holy Spirit.  Come to each one of us.  Transform us, change us, and mould us to be other Christs.”  We must all long for His coming.

Lord Jesus, the more eagerly I look forward to the coming of the Holy Spirit, the greater the impact He will have on my life.

FATHER FRANCIS MAPLE WEBSITE HERE