May 29, 2022: Ascension of the Lord
Catholic Social Teaching: Care for God’s Creation
June 5th is the UN’s World Environment Day., hosted by Sweden this year:
https://www.unep.org/events/un-day/world-environment-day-2022
https://www.worldenvironmentday.global
Readings
First Reading: Acts 1:1-11
Psalm: 47: 2-3, 6-7, 8-9
Second Reading: Ephesians 1:17-23 or Hebrews 9:24-28; 10-19-23
Gospel Acclamation: Matthew 28:19a, 20b
Gospel: Luke 24: 46-53
Catechism of the Catholic Church
This final stage stays closely linked to the first, that is, to his descent from heaven in the Incarnation. Only the one who “came from the Father” can return to the Father: Christ Jesus. “No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man.” Left to its own natural powers humanity does not have access to the “Father’s house”, to God’s life and happiness. Only Christ can open to man such access that we, his members, might have confidence that we too shall go where he, our Head and our Source, has preceded us. (661) From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to the Ascension of the Lord, Cycle C
Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church:
Matthew 28:19-20 and Luke 24:46-49
God, in Christ, redeems not only the individual person but also the social relations existing between men. As the Apostle Paul teaches, life in Christ makes the human person’s identity and social sense — with their concrete consequences on the historical and social planes — emerge fully and in a new manner: “For in Christ Jesus you are all children of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ” (Gal 3:26-28). In this perspective, Church communities, brought together by the message of Jesus Christ and gathered in the Holy Spirit round the Risen Lord (cf. Mt 18:20, 28:19-20; Lk 24:46-49), offer themselves as places of communion, witness and mission, and as catalysts for the redemption and transformation of social relationships. (52)
Ephesians 1:22-23
Faith in Jesus Christ makes it possible to have a correct understanding of social development, in the context of an integral and solidary humanism. In this regard, the contribution of theological reflection offered by the Church’s social Magisterium is very useful: “Faith in Christ the Redeemer, while it illuminates from within the nature of development, also guides us in the task of collaboration. In the Letter of St. Paul to the Colossians, we read that Christ is ‘the firstborn of all creation,’ and that ‘all things were created through him’ and for him (Col 1:15-16). In fact, ‘all things hold together in him’, since ‘in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things’ (v. 20). A part of this divine plan, which begins from eternity in Christ, the perfect ‘image’ of the Father, and which culminates in him, ‘the firstborn from the dead’ (v. 15-18), in our own history, marked by our personal and collective effort to raise up the human condition and to overcome the obstacles which are continually arising along our way. It thus prepares us to share in the fullness which ‘dwells in the Lord’ and which he communicates ‘to his body, which is the Church’ (v. 18; cf. Eph 1:22-23). At the same time sin, which is always attempting to trap us and which jeopardizes our human achievements, is conquered and redeemed by the ‘reconciliation’ accomplished by Christ (cf. Col 1:20)”. (327)
Hebrews 10:23
The salvation offered by God to his children requires their free response and acceptance. It is in this that faith consists, and it is through this that “man freely commits his entire self to God”, responding to God’s prior and superabundant love (cf. 1 Jn 4:10) with concrete love for his brothers and sisters, and with steadfast hope because “he who promised is faithful” (Heb 10:23). In fact, the divine plan of salvation does not consign human creatures to a state of mere passivity or of lesser status in relation to their Creator, because their relationship to God, whom Jesus Christ reveals to us and in whom he freely makes us sharers by the working of the Holy Spirit, is that of a child to its parent: the very relationship that Jesus lives with the Father (cf. Jn 15-17; Gal 4:6-7). (39)
For complete text visit: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html
Reflection
If we truly believe salvation is for all people, we as believers must share the model of Christianity to all nations and not just stay within the walls of personal holiness, the confines of holy sites, the Jerusalems of our era and place. Living a universal Christological expression of faith, the Holy Spirit becomes our animator. Like the Israelites were led from slavery in Egypt, Jesus led the disciples from the Holy City out to Bethany, raised His hands in a priestly blessing of the disciples to conclude the liturgy of His earthly life. They paid Him homage to fill their lives with joy. A continual expression of praise in the Temple, a bond linking the old and the new. And end of one era, the start of a new handed down thru the centuries. A continual gifting of the Holy Spirit not to make disciples immune, retreating from the world, but the spiritual zap of equipping believers to build the kingdom. A question asked by the disciples in deference to restoring the kingdom of Israel, but probably put back on their heels hearing Jerusalem was just the starting point leading to Gentile territory and stretching to the ends of the earth. Words the disciples took to heart when infused by the Holy Spirit, as they traveled to the Greco-Roman world, India and Asia. A call we must feel blessed to inherit today. Living a faith not self-centered, but encouraging others in hope. A journey on another continent or venturing to enter the world of the forgotten, ostracized, invisible in our environs. A journey of many miles or steps beyond our comfort zone. A life of communion with others in the nuances of their lives. A witness by our actions grounded in listening, not preaching. The mission of reconciliation guided by our repentance from material greed and personal pedigree of superiority over the “other”. Building a culture rooted in forgiveness, not condemnation. Forgiveness fueled from the forgiveness received from the cross. A message the Lord imbued on the disciples and a legacy for us today. A kingdom rooted not in nationalism of historical dimensions, but unity to the ends of the earth by the Holy Sprit’s power bringing light to the nations beyond dominance, warring powers and conquest. An expression of God’s might by Christ’s resurrection and ascension, supported by angelic presence, above the realm of every earthly ruler. A definite start at the Ascension, with a conclusion at the Parousia, a time only known by the Father. A humble beginning with a primitive community portrayed in Acts, expanding exponentially over the millenniums. What Jesus began to do and teach, as chronicled in Luke continues in Acts and how will we write our chapter today? Let us be open to the Holy Spirit’s prompting and not stand staring at people, issues, problems, but let our lives of communion in the world define our witness of actions leading to collective missions, as catalysts for spiritual and social transformation. For with our knowledge of God, we know God’s blessings and with the eyes of our hearts enlightened, we know as believers the hope that belongs to the call to be His disciples.
Individual Reflection: Ephesians 1:17-23
The global Church Synod on Synodality’s three components are communion, participation and mission. Now that parish / group consultations are concluding, how will you encourage these three facets of synodality at your parish?
Family Reflection: Acts 1:1-11
How does your family just not stand “looking at the sky” and actively live your faith?
Prayer: May 31st is the Feast of the Visitation of Blessed Virgin Mary
Collect
Almighty, ever living God, who while the Blessed Virgin May was carrying your Son in her womb, inspired her to visit Elizabeth, grant us, we pray, that faithful to the promptings of the Spirit, we may magnify your greatness with the Virgin Mary at all times. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever
Blogs to Visit:
As we reflect upon Mary’s presence in the mysteries of the Rosary, we are blessed to know her. For her journey, a timeless trek, calls us to surrender, continuing conversion, humbleness and justice now.
https://peaceonjustice.wordpress.com/
Weekly lectionary reflections, for faith sharing groups, parish bulletins, newsletters or personal prayer, from the synergy of the Word we hear and the rich tradition of Catholic Social Teaching.
https://cst74life.wordpress.com/
Catholic Social Teaching offers seven principles for upholding life in our thoughts, decisions and actions.
How we do Catholic Social Teaching.
Link: https://csmresources.wordpress.com/
Creation sustainability ministry resources in the spirit of the St Francis Pledge.
Social Ministry Resources Engaging Parishes: Monthly and liturgical seasons resources for use with parish websites, bulletins and newsletters
Involvement Opportunities
List one or two upcoming events, legislative action alerts or social justice websites
By Barb Born May 28, 2022 The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.