Why
did Jesus leave his disciples forty days after his resurrection? Forty is a
significant number in the scriptures. Moses went to the mountain to seek the
face of God for forty days in prayer and fasting. The people of Israel were in
the wilderness for forty years in preparation for their entry into the promised
land. Elijah fasted for forty days as he journeyed in the wilderness to the
mountain of God. For forty days after his resurrection Jesus appeared numerous
times to his disciples to assure them that he had risen indeed and to prepare
them for the task of carrying on the work which he began during his earthy
ministry. Jesus' departure and ascension was both an end and a beginning for
his disciples. While it was the end of Jesus' physical presence with his
beloved disciples, it marked the beginning of Jesus' presence with them in a
new way. Jesus promised that he would be with them always to the end of time
(Matthew 28:20). Now as the glorified and risen Lord and Savior, ascended to
the right hand of the Father in heaven, Jesus promised to send them the Holy
Spirit who would anoint them with power on the Feast of Pentecost, just as
Jesus was anointed for his ministry at the River Jordan. When the Lord Jesus
departed physically from the apostles, they were not left in sorrow or grief.
Instead, they were filled with joy and with great anticipation for the coming
of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus'
last words to his apostles point to his saving mission and to their mission to
be witnesses of his saving death and his glorious resurrection and to proclaim
the good news of salvation to all the world. Their task is to proclaim the
Gospel - the good news of salvation - not only to the people of Israel, but to
all the nations as well. God's love and gift of salvation is not reserved for a
few or for one nation alone, but it is for the whole world - for all who will
accept it. The Gospel is the power of God, the power to release people from
their burden of guilt, sin, and oppression, and the power to heal, restore, and
make us whole. Do you believe in the power of the Gospel? This is the great
commission which the risen Christ gives to the whole church. All believers have
been given a share in this task - to be heralds of the good news and
ambassadors for Jesus Christ, the only savior of the world. We have not been
left alone in this task, for the risen Lord works in and through us by the
power of his Holy Spirit. Today we witness a new Pentecost as the Lord pours
out his Holy Spirit upon his people to renew and strengthen the body of Christ
and to equip it for effective ministry and mission world-wide. (Servants of the word)
A
blessing and prayer tribute to all mothers
"Blessed
be all mothers
Who
have come into our lives
Whose
kindness, care and loving
Remain
with us to guide.
Your
inspiration in us
Made
us strive in every way
Especially
to remember
Helping
others makes our day.
Mothers,
this little tribute
Flows
directly from my heart
You
are so loved and cherished
Invaluable,
one and all, you are.
Happy Mother’s Day to All
Mothers
Fr. Phil
