The Gospel reading for the feast of the Ascension was taken from the Gospel according to Mark 16:15-20
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Go into the whole world
and proclaim the gospel to every creature.
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved;
whoever does not believe will be condemned.
These signs will accompany those who believe:
in my name they will drive out demons,
they will speak new languages.
They will pick up serpents with their hands,
and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them.
They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them,
was taken up into heaven
and took his seat at the right hand of God.
But they went forth and preached everywhere,
while the Lord worked with them
and confirmed the word through accompanying signs.’
Dear friend, Sunday we celebrated the Ascension of the Lord. In the Ascension we come to the end of Christ’s earthly mission. He was crucified, raised up on Easter Sunday defeating death and for the feast of the Ascension He is now “pioneer and perfecter of faith” Hebrews 12:2, raised up in glory.
A trivial memory perhaps but it seems fitting to share it; In my youth I really enjoyed my time as a Girl Scout Brownie; joining the other Brownies having fun, working together and learning new things. One of the Girl Scout Brownie rules, that I especially remember, was to leave the world a better place including something as simple as cleaning up an area where we picniced or camped – not only the clutter and litter we made during our stay but what was left behind before we got there – to coming up with ideas to really make the world a better place. I’ve proudly carried this rule with me into adulthood as well as taught it to my children and grandchildren. What better way to demonstrate love and respect for others when you do whatever you can to make the world a better place.
A very simple analogy but important all the same, Jesus would have made an amazing scout for He truly made our world a better place. Thanks be to God and ‘a blare of trumpets for the Lord’!
Jesus set a powerful example in making a better world and now, for us, what a more righteousness act then to follow Him by sharing and ‘prolaiming the gospel to every creature’.
Dear friend, we are bound for heaven and our focus should be fixed on Christ as we all work to make our world a better place. I pray you will take every opportunity to follow Jesus and become a powerful example yourself.
Prayer:
Dear God, help and inspire us to set exemplary behavior of all you have taught us and earnestly work at making our world a better place by sharing your Word and your love starting with the world around us. We ask this in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen
May God bless you and yours and keep you all in HIs loving care!
Peace, love and joy in Christ Jesus our Savior,
Marie Antoinette
All life matters – from conception on!
His Righteousness 