Every Sunday, Bishop Edward Malesic writes a Scripture reflection for the faithful. Follow the bishop on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Click HERE for the readings.
In the Diocese of Cleveland and in many other dioceses throughout the United States the Feast of the Ascension of Jesus into heaven is transferred from Thursday to the following Sunday.
The glorified body of Jesus was taken up into heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father. Our bodies, too, will rise up glorified someday and be with Jesus and the saints in the heavenly Kingdom. This is our hope — and it is also foreshadowed in our belief in the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, body and soul, into heaven.
Although the Ascension of Jesus into heaven could have been a sad occasion for the early Church, it was seen as a new beginning and was a time of “great joy.” They knew that Jesus would be with them always in a new way, through the Holy Spirit, and they would become witnesses to his resurrection.
Once the believers received the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the Church was empowered to go to the ends of the earth to proclaim the truth that the forgiveness of sins by his sacrifice on the cross and the eternal life of his resurrection was possible for those who put their faith in Jesus. They became missionary disciples of these core truths of our faith.
We are now the witnesses, the missionary disciples, of Christ’s cross and resurrection. We are sent forth by Jesus into our families and communities to tell the story of how Jesus has saved us from our sins and given us the possibility of new life. Do not be afraid to invite others to receive the mercy and new life we have found in Christ.
On this Memorial Day weekend, we remember those who died for the cause of the freedom that we enjoy. Heaven is also their final goal, and the Resurrection of the body is their ultimate hope.
We continue to keep the children and others lost to violence in Uvalde, Texas and elsewhere in our prayers - and the survivors too.
Mary, Mother of the Church, pray for us.
Have a blessed week everyone.