The promise of a "paraclete," the Holy Spirit, preceded the Ascension of Our Lord into heaven. Before leaving the disciples, Jesus assured them of His presence and continued guidance through the Holy Spirit. "Paraclete" as a term used to characterize the Holy Spirit means 'an advocate,' 'a counselor.' The Holy Spirit will lead the disciples, hence, the Church into the fullness of God's revelation as given by Jesus Christ through His life, death and resurrection.
Today, as we celebrate the Ascension of Our Lord, we are reminded of two things - first, Jesus remains present among us as He promised in the scriptures: "I am with you always, yes, to the end of time" and second, is our mission to bear witness to Christ through our lives. Through baptism, we all become witnesses to the gospel of Jesus Christ. But this mission is not handed to us without our commitment and responsibility to enact on it. The Holy Spirit was given to us in order for us to draw strength through our relationship with God in our struggle to live our baptismal vows.
More than ever, the gospel needs proclaimers and evangelizers in our world. Keep in mind that preaching and proclaiming are two different acts. We preach with our words, but we proclaim with our lives.
Let us ask the guidance of the Holy Spirit so that we become effective proclaimers of the Word of God through our relationship with others. May we embrace our mission wholeheartedly as evangelizers in this modern world. Like our Lord Jesus Christ who ascended into heaven, returning to the Father with a "mission accomplished," may we also hold dear in our hearts the mission God has entrusted to us and accomplish it by the mercy and grace of God. Amen.
Today, as we celebrate the Ascension of Our Lord, we are reminded of two things - first, Jesus remains present among us as He promised in the scriptures: "I am with you always, yes, to the end of time" and second, is our mission to bear witness to Christ through our lives. Through baptism, we all become witnesses to the gospel of Jesus Christ. But this mission is not handed to us without our commitment and responsibility to enact on it. The Holy Spirit was given to us in order for us to draw strength through our relationship with God in our struggle to live our baptismal vows.
More than ever, the gospel needs proclaimers and evangelizers in our world. Keep in mind that preaching and proclaiming are two different acts. We preach with our words, but we proclaim with our lives.
Let us ask the guidance of the Holy Spirit so that we become effective proclaimers of the Word of God through our relationship with others. May we embrace our mission wholeheartedly as evangelizers in this modern world. Like our Lord Jesus Christ who ascended into heaven, returning to the Father with a "mission accomplished," may we also hold dear in our hearts the mission God has entrusted to us and accomplish it by the mercy and grace of God. Amen.
RSS Feed