You Will Be My Witnesses

ARE YOU OUTSIDE THE USA? HOMILY FOR THE 7TH SUN OF EASTER

Homily For The Solemnity of Ascension. May 12, 2024.

“Today we are not only made possessors of Paradise but with Christ, we have ascended, mystically but also really, to the highest Heavens and have won through Christ a grace more wonderful than the one we had lost.” ( Excerpt from F. Fernandez in Conversation with God, Vol. II, p. 550).

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My Dearest Friends in Christ,

As the disciples gathered around the mountain in Galilee, we gathered in this church and around this altar to celebrate the feast of the glorious Ascension of Christ into Heaven. It is a feast we are celebrating with mixed feelings. On one hand, we are grieved, like the Apostles, by the physical separation of Christ. On the other hand, we are happy that He has gone to prepare a place for us at the Right Hand of the Father, and He will come back again to take us to be with Him. Thus, in the words of Leo the Great: “Today, we are not only made possessors of Paradise, but with Christ, we have ascended mystically, yet also in reality, to the highest Heavens and have obtained through Christ a grace more wonderful than the one we had lost.” (Excerpt from F. Fernandez in Conversation with God, Vol. II, p. 550).

His Ascension is Not a Separation From Us

The Ascension of Christ into Heaven should not be understood as a separation from us, as if He has left the world to run on its own. “It would be a mistake to interpret the Ascension as the temporary absence of Christ from the world. Rather, we go to Heaven to the extent that we go to Jesus Christ and enter into Him. Heaven is a Person: Jesus Himself is what we call Heaven.” (Pope Benedict XVI, Excerpt from Magnificat, Vol. 21, No. 3, May 2019, p. 416). The meaning of the Ascension is found in this phrase: Jesus took His place. After undergoing the humiliation of His Passion and Death, Jesus took His place at the Right Hand of God; He took His place with His Eternal Father.” (Homily of John Paul II, May 24, 1979)

He Charged Us to be His Witnesses

On this great feast, we celebrate the fulfillment of Jesus’ Paschal Mystery and His earthly mission. Before He was lifted up in the sight of His disciples, He charged them with the responsibility of being His witnesses, as we heard in the first reading. In the Gospel, He made it clearer to them and to us gathered here to “go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” This mission entrusted to us will be empowered by the reception of the Holy Spirit. That is why Jesus asked the disciples to remain in Jerusalem until they had received the Spirit.

Looking back now, I would say that the immediate disciples of Jesus did an excellent job in their commitment to this mission. Thanks to them and the Holy Spirit, we are believers today. We also owe our gratitude to the Fathers of the Church and earlier missionaries who, inspired by apostolic zeal and the Holy Spirit, brought the Gospel to us at great personal sacrifice. They made tremendous sacrifices for the Gospel to take root in the farthest corners of the earth. As beneficiaries of God’s Spirit and the sacrificial efforts of those who came before us, we need to reflect on the extent of our commitment to witnessing this mission in a world that is becoming increasingly secular, anti-clerical, and hostile to the Gospel of Christ. Unlike previous generations, we face a greater challenge in carrying out this mission.

We are Called to Defend The Gospel as Bold Witnesses

The martyrs of the Church shed their blood for the sake of the Gospel taking root. While our commitment may not require us to shed our blood, it does involve denouncing our worldly ambitions, desires, and pleasures. We must wholeheartedly embrace the Cross of Christ and unwaveringly defend and spread the message of the Gospel, even in the face of opposition. In today’s world, characterized by its secularism, anti-clericalism, and violence toward the Gospel, we are called to be bold witnesses. Our commitment should go beyond mere words and extend to our actions, exemplifying the transformative power of the Gospel in our lives.

Let us draw inspiration from the martyrs and the saints who have gone before us, remembering their selfless dedication and courage. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, let us rise to the challenge of this mission and make a lasting impact in a world that desperately needs the light and truth of Christ’s message. The world needs to hear the Truth, the Truth that will guide us out of darkness and into the wonderful light, life, and salvation found in Christ. Our words and actions must consistently reflect the testimony we bear. We must not allow the light of faith entrusted to us to be extinguished in our hands.

We are Now His Earthly Representatives

“Christ has nobody now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which He looks with compassion on this world. Yours are the feet with which He walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which He blesses all the world. You are His body. Christ has no body now on earth but yours.” – Teresa of Avila. Let us recognize the profound responsibility we have as followers of Christ. It is through our lives that His presence and love should be made

This mission is not an easy one, as Paul expressed in his letter to the Ephesians in today’s second reading when he prayed, “May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to this call.” It is crucial that our minds are illuminated to truly comprehend the magnitude of this mission and the responsibility that Christ has entrusted to us. Let us not be fearful, for Christ has been given all power and authority in Heaven and on Earth. Though we may mourn His physical absence, we can find solace in the fact that He resides within each one of us through the Spirit. He continually intercedes for us at the Right Hand of the Father. Therefore, let us approach this mission with confidence and courage, knowing that we are not alone. Christ’s presence and guidance empower us to fulfill our calling and carry out His work in the world.

May God strengthen His grace within us to be His faithful witnesses in our world. May God bless our Mothers and grant them good health and divine blessings on this special day. Happy Mother’s Day

Say The Rosary Daily and Reflect on the Word of God

I keep you and your family always in my prayers. ©Clem C. Aladi (2024)

PLEASE JOIN IN THE NOVENA TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

Catholic Prayers: Novena to the Holy Spirit

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
On my knees, before the great multitude of heavenly witnesses, I offer myself, soul and body, to You, Eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Your purity, the unerring keenness of Your justice, and the might of Your love. You are the Strength and Light of my soul. In You, I live and move and am. I desire never to grieve You by unfaithfulness to grace and I pray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against You. Mercifully guard my every thought and grant that I may always watch for Your light and listen to Your voice and follow Your gracious inspirations. I cling to You and give myself to You and ask You by Your compassion to watch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced Feet of Jesus and looking at His Five Wounds and trusting in His
Precious Blood and adoring His opened Side and stricken Heart, I implore You, Adorable Spirit, Helper of my infirmity, so to keep me in Your grace that I may never sin against You. Give me grace, O Holy Ghost, Spirit of the Father and the Son to say
to You always and everywhere, “Speak, Lord, for Your servant heareth.” Amen

PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Christ Jesus, before ascending into heaven, You promised to send the Holy Spirit to Your apostles and disciples.

Grant that the same Spirit may perfect in our lives the work of Your grace and love.

Grant us the Spirit of Fear Of The Lord that we may be filled with a loving reverence toward You.

the Spirit of Piety that we may find peace and fulfillment in the service of God while serving others;

the Spirit of Fortitude that we may bear our cross with You and, with courage, overcome the obstacles that interfere with our salvation;

the Spirit of Knowledge that we may know You and know ourselves and grow in holiness;

the Spirit of Understanding to enlighten our minds with the light of Your truth;

the Spirit of Counsel that we may choose the surest way of doing Your will, seeking first the Kingdom;

Grant us the Spirit of Wisdom that we may aspire to the things that last forever;

Teach us to be Your faithful disciples and animate us in every way with Your Spirit.

Amen.

FIRST DAY
Creation Awaits Fulfillment
Holy Spirit, Lord of light!
From Your clear celestial height, Your pure beaming radiance give!
Almighty and eternal God, send forth Your Spirit, who brought order from chaos at the beginning of the universe, and peace to the Lord’s disciples.

Grant that I, as your creation, baptized in your Spirit, may be filled with the seven gifts so that I may forever do your will and renew the face of the earth.

Amen.