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 and 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 experienced joy and anticipation
for the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus' last words to his apostles point 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. 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. 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.
OFFICE STUDENT: Joel Fernandes has been
working part time in the office for many years. After completing his College
Degree, he has now found full time employment with a local firm. I would like
to thank Joel for his work and dedication to the parish and wish him well in
his future endeavors. I have appreciated having him in the office!
CONFIRMATION 2015: Next weekend is the
Feast of Pentecost. We welcome all of our candidates who will be confirmed this
weekend as well as their families, friends and sponsors.
I
hope you all have a good week.
Fr. Phil
