“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of those depths.” Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, the noted psychiatrist who wrote extensively on dying and death, perhaps describes those disciples of Jesus as they witnessed his departure. They were often confused, fearful of the authorities, and a bit confused as to their own path forward without the physical presence of their teacher and Lord. As our gospel passage concludes on this Ascension Sunday weekend, they nonetheless persevered through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. And though their journey forward would eventually bring forth the Church, Christianity, it was their suffering and uncertainty that opened them to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and the integrity of Jesus’ teachings. God understood the need for Jesus’ Ascension, giving those disciples and us—the Church—the fortitude of faith to forge a path of hope and joy, humility and virtue.

Following the loss of last parent, Bishop Nickless commented, “We become orphans, not literally,” but physically losing the last presence of those who provided our foundation in life. Grief and reflection will lead us to recognize the values and ‘life understandings’ we inherited, and trust in our own integrity and faith to step forward in life with purpose. As Christians, disciples of Christ, we have inherited a certain faith—forged through our own struggles, loss and disappointments—to “live with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love. . . .through the bond of peace,” as St. Paul exhorts. In a homily on Ascension Thursday Pope Francis included this insight; “Dear brothers and sisters, the Ascension does not point to Jesus’ absence, but tells us that he is alive in our midst in a new way. He is no longer in a specific place in the world as he was before the Ascension. He is now . . . present in every space and time, close to each one of us. In our life we are never alone: we have this Advocate who awaits us, who defends us. . . .” Our parish halls have been open to various gatherings in the last month, re-establishing our Christian hospitality and the presence of community.

As restrictions are loosened and the threat of the virus decreases, our gatherings bring forth a spirit of community and hope—none more so than sharing in the Sunday Eucharist. Acknowledging that some are still concerned about their wellbeing, may we be a welcoming and understanding parish, sharing an affirmation for each person’s faith and integrity. Bishop Nickless has given no indication of when other restrictions may be withdrawn; may we continue to embody the spirit of hope and graciousness for what blessings we do have to share. Next Sunday is Pentecost Sunday, the birth so to speak of our Christian Church, and the end of liturgical season of Easter. Though Pentecost gets lost in the many activities taking place in May, this day is a reminder of the Holy Spirit guiding us forward, always, in spite of our personal issues and problematic circumstances in the world.

Next weekend we will have ‘ministry sign-up’ sheets in the pews, providing an opportunity to consider how you can share your presence and gifts with our three parishes. Hopefully, in two weeks we will have our weekend and special Masses live-streamed, thankful for a special donor.

God Bless,
Fr. Tim