Gospel Reflections for May 28 2017
Time to go…
We celebrate the Ascension of Our Lord today …although I don’t think His disciples celebrated at all!
They must have hated to see Our Lord leave. Even though He often said that He was leaving and that the Holy Spirit would come soon, His disciples could not really have known what that meant. Having seen Jesus die at the crucifixion, they must have worried to see Him leave again.
We don’t easily adjust to good people leaving, which affirms we should always take advantage of the time that we have with those we love …and never take them for granted. On Monday, we will remember all those who left home to defend our country in times of war and did not return.
The Holy Spirit that Jesus promised did arrive, which we will celebrate next week on the Feast of Pentecost. That Holy Spirit energized the disciples to make converts throughout the world …and with amazing success! But something else happened …they wanted to see exactly where Jesus lived.
Because Jesus was a real historical person, they wanted to visit the places where he preached His parables, prayed to God, performed miracles, and especially died and rose. They wanted to connect with the real human person of Jesus.
Soon, in a few weeks, I will lead 86 people who have joined our annual trip to the Holy Land. This will be my 12th trip leading this annual pilgrimage. I consider it my greatest honor and joy to lead people to the very places where Jesus walked. (I regret that our departure date, chosen last year, means I will miss our 8th grade graduation.)
Our trip will focus on the archaeological evidence of biblical events. It is very moving to connect with places that scientific analysis indicates are authentic. We will celebrate Mass only on the most archaeologically verified sites. I spoke about them in our University Series program during this last season of Lent. I lead this trip every year, so perhaps you might consider it in the future.
The disciples soon discovered that Our Lord had never left them, and that the Holy Spirit on Pentecost provided the energy they needed to fearlessly continue His ministry. That same Holy Spirit is ours for the asking. No need to travel far.
You can receive that same power in the most personal way at Mass every Sunday!
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Father Dave, we pray for many blessings for you and your guests during your visit to the Holy Land. I believe that the archaeological realities are a physical sign of the hidden spiritual realities of our loving God. Congratulations to those who will experience those realities.
Thank you. Yes, the archaeological realities reveal a much spiritual realities. I agree.
Father Dave, Have a fabulous, spiritual trip to the precious Holy Land where Jesus loved,lived and preached!! We have treasured Memories of our beautiful trip shared with you and that was your very first trip! Everyone fell more and moreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeein loveeeee with our precious Jesus!!! Beautiful faith, beautiful life!! You all will be in our precious prayers!! Enjoy and be immersed in love!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, Franca and Dick
Shalom!
Hi Father Dave, our thoughts and prayers accompany you and all in this trip. May God’s grace keep you all well and healthy.
Thank you for your prayers!
Dear Father Dave,
Once again your words touch our faith and resonate in our hearts. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to share your thoughts week after week.
Have a safe, fulfilling, and happy journey. The adult children of our long-time neighbors are joining your group. Their names are Kim and Doug Knarr. They live in Orange County and were told about your annual pilgrimage by Kim’s parents.
My husband and I, as well as some other members of our family, are flying to Rome on Sunday, June 11th. We’re going on a Mediterranean cruise. We’ll be away a total of eleven days. Please keep us, the Auth family, in your prayers. You and your group will surely be in our’s.
God bless….
Yes, I am glad the Knarr’s are going. Sounds like you have a great trip planned as well. Bon Voyage!
It must be a confusing time for the apostles with all the happenings going on,
and now they saw Him ascend into heaven. Was He gone forever?
Could it be that Jesus went back to heaven to conduct operations in a fuller way
here on earth.
And what a surprise! The apostles with the Holy Spirit were blown away as they embarked
on His mission here on earth. and so it continues…
Happy Holy Land trip, Fr. Dave!.
Thank you!
Hi Dave
I hope all is well. Can’t tell you how much more I get out of your writing then from the homily at mass. So much more value in putting the word of God into something I can relate to in my life. Nice going!
I have a very dear friend going on your trip, his name is Terry Chapman. There really isn’t a nicer human being. I love this guy like I love you. Have fun, be safe and enjoy Terry!
Tim
Nice to hear from you old friend! Yes, Terry is on our Holy Land trip this year. We have 86 people going, so it is the largest ever, but we have it organized so that it will still feel like a small group. Peter Godfrey’s brother and sister in law are going as well. You should join us one year!