by Fr. Tommy Lane
We are so busy doing things, achieving,
making progress that we can forget what life is all about, preparing to meet God
in heaven. The Ascension of Jesus
reminds us that we are ‘only passing through’ here, as we say. We are pilgrims on a journey. Just as Jesus’ earthly life was
temporary, came to an end, and he ascended to sit at the right hand of the
Father, so also our lives here are temporary, will come to an end and we will
meet God in the next life. The
Ascension of Jesus reminds us in all of our busyness not to forget what life is
all about. Remember that
conversation. What will you do
next? That person had an answer for
everything but never thought about dying and what would happen then. One of the lines in that prayer in Paul’s letter to the
Ephesians, our second reading today (Years A & C), is so beautiful and
relevant. May God our Father...enlighten the
eyes of your mind so that you can see what hope his call holds for you, what
rich glories he has promised the saints will inherit and how infinitely great is
the power that he has exercised for us believers. (Eph 1:18-19) It is a most beautiful prayer
and description of living life preparing for eternal life. Others might not think much of you but
it is far more important what God thinks of you. What does God think of you? He
looks on you as his son or daughter since you were baptized. May God our Father...enlighten the
eyes of your mind so that you can see what hope his call holds for you… You want the perfect house, the
perfect car, in fact you want the best of everything. Is it really that important? In that prayer Paul prayed, May God our Father...enlighten the
eyes of your mind so that you can see … what rich glories he has promised the
saints will inherit… Whatever possessions or riches
have become so important to you are nothing compared to the riches of heaven. Can you take this £1 to heaven with
you? (holding up money). No, it is nothing compared to the riches
of heaven, May God our Father...enlighten the
eyes of your mind so that you can see … what rich glories he has promised the
saints will inherit… As we listen to so many reports
about corruption in planning and rezoning land, there is no doubt but that brown
envelopes containing money were very powerful in the past. People use all sorts of ways of exerting
power and influence over others. Does
God have any power or influence over our lives? Jesus rose from the dead, and therefore God the Father “has
put all things under his feet”. This
is the power and influence of God for you. So Paul continues his prayer, May God our Father...enlighten the eyes of your mind
so that you can see … how infinitely great is the power that he has exercised
for us believers. What a wonderful privilege we all enjoy
as sons and daughters of God since baptism. How wonderful is this calling that we have all received. How wonderful are the riches of heaven
that God has planned for us, it certainly makes us see all our striving after
riches here in a new light, and how wonderful is the power God worked in Jesus’
resurrection to raise us all to new life. Before
Jesus ascended, he entrusted his mission to the Apostles and disciples saying, “Go out to the whole world, proclaim
the good news.” That mission was
entrusted not only to priests and religious, but to everybody, to you. You are called by Jesus to preach
the Good News where you live and work. As
you carry out the Lord's mission Paul's advice to the Ephesians is a most
beautiful guide for living and ministering in the name of God to others. Let us
not be so busy that we forget about God. May God our Father...enlighten the
eyes of your mind so that you can see what hope his call holds for you, what
rich glories he has promised the saints will inherit and how infinitely great is
the power that he has exercised for us believers. This homily was delivered when I was engaged in parish ministry in Ireland
before joining the faculty of
Mount St. Mary’s Seminary,
Emmitsburg, Maryland. More homilies for the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Continues to be Present
in his Church after his Ascension (Year B) Waiting in Prayer
for the Outpouring of the Holy Spirit More on the theme of above homily in
The Glorious Future
Awaiting Us First reading, witnesses to the ends of the earth:
Church growing through
trials
- I want to do my Senior Certificate.
After your Senior Certificate what do you want to do?
- I want to go to college.
After college what do you want to do?
- I want to get a job.
Then what do you want to do?
- I want to make big money.
What do you want to do after making money?
- I want to build a big house.
After that what do you intend to do?
- I want to get married.
What will you do after getting married?
- I will have a family.
What will you do after having a family?
- I will retire.
What do you want to do after you retire?
- I want to take a rest.
What will you do after taking a rest?
- I don’t know.
Will you die?
- Oh yes, I will die too.
Related Homilies: After Jesus’ Ascension don’t
just sit there - Evangelize! The Vocation of the Laity
2008