Faith News and Reflection
Faith Reflection
Today we remember the Feast of the Ascension.
Acts 1:1-11. The Ascension story is a special day for two reasons. First, it answers the literal-minded questions, "What did Jesus do after Easter?" and "Where is Jesus now?" The answer is that for forty days Jesus helped his disciples understand what had happened on Good Friday and Easter. Then he returned to God. Second, the Ascension is the story of Jesus passing the baton of responsibility to his disciples. As he returned to God, Jesus instructed the disciples to pick up and continue his work. They were to be Jesus' witnesses, and they were to expect God to send the Holy Spirit to help them with the task. The "two men in white" emphasize this change when they ask why the disciples are staring into the sky. There is work to be done. So on Ascension Day, we complete our celebration of what Jesus did and get ready to go to work as his witnesses today.
Also...
In response to the continuing global pandemic, Pope Francis has focused on Saint Joseph as a model and guide for us on the journey Why Joseph? The pope has explained that Joseph was a quiet man, who responded to God’s voice coming to him in dreams, who fulfilled the role of earthly father to Jesus, is an excellent person to ponder in these difficult days for so many in our world. St Joseph would be a great man to discuss with your whānau.